UAE announces news guidelines for newborn screening

The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced new guidelines to standardise and enhance the medical examination procedures for newborns.

The National Newborn Screening Guidelines align with international best practices and seek to prevent early health issues by standardising laboratory and clinical tests and designating reference labs across the country.

These measures are designed to improve the quality of care for newborns by providing clear and consistent screening procedures.

They focus on early detection, diagnosis, and intervention for health conditions that could affect a newborn’s well-being and long-term survival.

Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, stressed that MoHAP will continue to work towards disease prevention and robust healthcare systems to support healthy lives from birth.

He added that the newly launched guidelines will provide a crucial reference for the health sector and facilitate the early diagnosis of genetic diseases, metabolic and endocrine disorders, as well as screening for hearing abnormalities, heart defects and other critical congenital anomalies.

"Additionally, it supports the creation of a comprehensive database on genetic diseases and aims to enhance community awareness about the significance of newborn screening. This programme will be implemented across both government and private hospitals in the UAE," Dr. Al Rand explained.