Muscat – With genetic diseases and congenital malformations affecting approximately 9.5 percent of the population, this initiative introduces new tests within the national preventive health package to reduce the burden of these conditions, improve the quality of life, and promote community health.
The launch event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health.

His Excellency Dr. Saeed bin Hareb Al Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, highlighted that the prevalence of these genetic conditions represents a significant challenge, stressing that the new program aims to address this health issue as part of Oman Vision 2040’s broader health priorities. He noted that genetic diseases and congenital conditions place significant social and economic pressures on individuals, communities, and healthcare systems, with a prevalence rate of 9.5 percent in Oman according to the latest health surveys. This underscores the need for preventive programs aimed at early detection and limiting the spread of these conditions.
The program will be rolled out in three phases. In the first phase (2024-2025), premarital exams will remain optional, accompanied by a community awareness campaign. The second phase, beginning in the academic year 2025-2026, will expand to include testing for tenth-grade students. In the third phase (2026), premarital medical examinations will be made mandatory for individuals seeking to marry, with new legislation ensuring the examinations are a requirement for completing marriage contract procedures.
Dr. Nadia bint Musa Al Hashimi, Senior Consultant of Chemical Genetics at the National Center for Genetic Health, explained that early screening offers a critical opportunity to identify health conditions at an early stage, leading to better health outcomes. The expanded newborn screening will test for 62 genetic and metabolic diseases, including treatable conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), as well as hormonal diseases like congenital hypothyroidism.

The programme will be initially launched in Muscat Governorate to refine processes and gather data before expanding nationwide. It will utilise cutting-edge technology, such as dual mass spectrometry, to detect these diseases from a small blood sample taken from newborns.

A national media campaign, under the slogan ‘Make the Beginning Right’, has been launched to promote the importance of premarital examinations. Dr. Jamila bint Tayseer Al-Abri, Public Health Consultant and Director of the Women and Child Health Department, shared that the campaign will span a year and will be implemented in three stages. The first phase will focus on introducing the program, the second will address the health impacts of genetic and infectious diseases, and the third will prepare society for the mandatory nature of the examination in 2026.

The Ministry of Health’s focus on premarital screening is particularly aimed at preventing hereditary blood diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, which carry significant healthcare costs. Dr. Raya bint Saeed Al-Kimani, Public Health Specialist and Head of the Premarital Medical Examination Department, noted that the premarital medical examination helps ensure health compatibility between partners and plays a key role in reducing the spread of genetic disorders and sexually transmitted diseases.

Since its introduction in 1999, premarital medical screening has been available on an optional basis in Omani health centres. The programme has been credited with reducing the prevalence of several inherited diseases and ensuring healthier families.