MUSCAT: Young Omani couples who plan to wed have been urged to conduct premarital screening tests to prevent any hereditary diseases.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday said all pre-marriage medical examinations will be treated confidentially and results will be disclosed only to the person applying for the examination.

The programme aims to screen for the most prevalent infectious diseases and genetic disorders and inform couples about their health to minimise the risks of transmission of infectious diseases and congenital anomalies to their children.

According to statistics, six in 10 Omanis carry a gene of inherited blood disorder. “It is important for the couples who are getting married to do a prenuptial medical examination to find out whether one of them is infected or are carriers of one of the blood diseases,” MOH said.