The UAE ministry of health and BinSina Pharmacy have joined hands to launch a nationwide campaign for pre-marriage screening of prospective grooms, as part of a comprehensive effort to create a healthier society by preventing certain diseases.

Hamid Mohamed Obeid Kattami, UAE minister of health, said the campaign was designed to enhance health awareness and encourage prevention of contagious and genetic diseases, in order to promote the social, economic and physiological wellbeing of the people in the UAE.

'We are delighted to partner with BinSina Pharmacy in this important initiative,' he added.
    
'The ministry is seeking to enhance mass awareness among the people who are intending to get married and generally among all sections of the society by highlighting the serious consequences of ignoring these simple screening tests.'

'Such negligence not only affects the couple but also their children, their future generations and the entire society,' he added. 

Screening tests cover hereditary diseases and viruses like Hepatitis and AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

It has been found that Arab societies are more prone to these diseases as they have the tradition of marrying close relatives.  

Statistics show that one child out of 25 is affected by hereditary diseases because of genetic disturbance in the first 25 years of his life, including mental retardation or physical handicap.

These diseases can be prevented if these pre-marriage screenings are done. Nine out of the 25 children would die early or would need especial care in hospitals or frequently.

Ahmed Al Khayyat, managing director of Alphamed Group, the parent company of BinSina Pharmacies, said: 'This campaign is a result of close co-operation between the Ministry of Health and private sector corporations that believe in corporate social responsibility. The message we are trying to convey is that these simple screenings could help build a disease free marriage.'

BinSina will be distributing brochures to customers raising awareness about pre-marriage screening and motivating them to do the tests.

These tests will be done at specialized centers of the MoH located all over the country. Counseling will be provided to people undergoing the tests. 

Studies show that hereditary diseases and physical handicaps can be prevented through pre-marriage screening. Common diseases than can be prevented from being passed on to the next generation through screenings include Thalassemia AIDS and Tuberculosis.-TradeArabia News Service