Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA)’s Ambulatory Healthcare Services has partnered with the emirate’s Department of Health to introduce premarital screening and counselling service in Al Yahar Healthcare Centre in Al Ain.
The move is in with SEHA’s strategy to provide patients with easy access to healthcare services.
The newly launched service includes screening for infection diseases as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, genetic diseases such as Beta –thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia, and testing for German Measles (Rubella) and blood grouping.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Omar Al Jabri, Chief Medical Officer at AHS, remarked that, “Premarital screening and counselling is one of the most effective ways to reduce the rate of inherited diseases, that is why we made sure that we provide easy access to this service within the community.”
”Through this service, we want to ensure that prospective couples are ready to start this important phase in their lives with full awareness of their partner’s health condition, especially hereditary conditions that may affect their children in the future. Through this service, they will also have the opportunity to discuss and address any health concerns either of them may have,” Dr. Al Jabri added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shafeeqa Omar, Al Yahar Healthcare Centre Manager and Family Medicine Specialist, added that “We are delighted to provide the premarital screening and counselling service at Al Yahar. This service provides prospective couples with the chance to seek counselling regarding any infectious diseases that may affect them and their children. We ensure that patients are provided with the highest levels of confidentiality. In the case of abnormal results, the patient’s consent is taken and an appointment is setup with the couple to explain the results, guide them on the next steps, and answer any queries. If the results show a need for further medical care, we facilitate the process for them.”
Throughout years of providing this service across our healthcare centres, we have seen the positive impact it has had on so many couples who were able to correctly understand the test results and learn about the precautions they need to take to prevent the transmission of disease between them or to their children.
Dr. Omar further added
While Al Bateen, Al Maqtaa, Baniyas, and Madinat Khalifa Healthcare Centres in Abu Dhabi are also offering premarital screening and counseling services, In Al Ain, services are available at Al Muwaiji, Oud Al Touba, Neima, Al Qua and Al Hayer.
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