Abu Dhabi: The first master’s program in genetic counseling in the UAE has been introduced by the Department of Genetics and Genomics at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at United Arab Emirates University, with support from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
By offering cutting-edge academic specializations, the college hopes to improve its results and give the community access to a select pool of medical graduates who can satisfy the demands of healthcare facilities and improve clinical medical consultations.
Dr. Muna Al Saffar, Director of the Genetic Counselling Program at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University, observed that, “The Master of Genetic Counselling program is the first and only program in the UAE. It is a two-year academic and clinical journey designed specifically for individuals who have a passion for pursuing a specialized profession to support and improve the well-being of individuals and their extended families who are diagnosed or at risk for genetic disorders. Our program is dedicated to preparing our students with the needed skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the well-being of individuals at risk or diagnosed with genetic disorders and most importantly to reduce the burden of genetic conditions in the community at large.”
“Throughout the program, we aim to foster and develop professional, qualified and competent genetic counselors. We focus on nurturing the clinical counseling capability in various areas, including pediatric genetic assessment, prenatal diagnosis, cancer and adult genetics, in addition to attention to talents in psychological support, protecting patients’ rights, and developing skills in clinical genetic research and community service,” Al Saffar added.