Monday, Jun 06, 2016

Muscat: In a shocking revelation, it was found that 60 per cent of Omanis carry genes for blood disorders. The most common blood disorder is the D6PD deficiency, with 28 per cent of males and 12 per cent of females carrying the disease, according to Dr. Musallam Bin Al Araimi, a senior Molecular and Community Geneticist at Oman’s National Genetic Centre reported.

The number disorders are high due to the closed marriage pool with the probability of disease increasing because both the father and mother are likely to carry the gene.

Metabolic disorders and feeding disorders constitute 20.7 per cent of the genetic disorders in the country.

Five to seven per cent of Omanis are giving birth to children with genetic diseases, which is higher than the world average of 4.5 per cent.

Genetic disorders cause 10 per cent of infant deaths and 52 per cent of deaths later on in the child’s life.

Over 300 types of different genetic diseases have been recorded in Oman.

Al Araimi says he expects the number of people suffering from genetic disorders to increase by 5 to 10 per cent in the next 50 years.

“This will be an enormous burder on the country’s health sector, family and society,” he said.

One in 10 Omani families have a child suffering from a genetic disorder.

Health officials have stressed that Omanis undergo tests before marriage to reduce the likelihood of passing the disease to their children.

Oman spent 40 million rials on treating blood disorders in 2015, according to the Ministry of Health.

Staff Report

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