Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Chairs Emirates Genome Council Meeting To Enhance Public Health Initiatives

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, led the Emirates Genome Council meeting. The council focused on advancing precision medicine using genomic data to improve public health in the UAE. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare efficiency, stimulate economic growth, and position the UAE as a global leader in precision medicine through research and development.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled highlighted the UAE's commitment to improving community health and wellbeing. He stressed the importance of research in longevity, precision medicine, and preventative care for better public health outcomes. His Highness praised efforts to position the UAE at the forefront of global genomic research that prioritises health outcomes and quality of life.

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The council endorsed new population screening programmes to expand genomic data use and accelerate personalised healthcare in the UAE. These initiatives include newborn genetic screenings, enhanced adult screenings in the Emirati Genome Program, personalised fertility programmes, and cardiovascular genetic screening. These programmes aim to provide targeted healthcare solutions based on individual genetic profiles.

The newborn genetic screening programme will evaluate 733 genes to identify over 800 treatable conditions in infants. Population disease screenings for adults participating in the Emirati Genome Programme will assess 94 genes linked to more than 50 genetic conditions relevant to UAE Nationals. The personalised fertility programme examines 186 genes associated with over 130 conditions to offer tailored medical advice for couples.

Cardiovascular screenings will focus on diagnosing and treating heart-related conditions by evaluating over 800 genes linked to more than 100 genetic disorders. This initiative aims to provide early prevention measures and improve treatment outcomes for cardiovascular diseases within the UAE population.

H.H. Sheikh Khaled received updates on the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Emirati Reference Genome study's completion. Conducted by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi with Khalifa University and M42, this study fills crucial gaps in genomic data. It supports disease research, pharmacogenomics, and developing Emirati-specific therapies by enhancing comparisons with other reference genomes.

Premarital Genetic Screening Programme

The Premarital Genetic Screening Programme was also discussed during the meeting. Launched nationally from January 1, 2025, it involves collaboration between various health authorities and strategic partners. To date, it has supported 2,428 couples with comprehensive genetic screening of 570 genes linked to over 840 disorders.

This programme aims to protect community members from hereditary diseases by empowering couples with genetic information for informed family planning decisions. It ensures a healthier future for upcoming generations by preserving community health and wellbeing.

Emirati Genome Program Progress

The Emirati Genome Program has made significant progress by collecting over 700,000 genetic samples from citizens across the nation towards its target of one million samples. Additionally, it has gathered 100,000 samples from participants of various nationalities for a new initiative leveraging advanced genomic capabilities in collaboration with M42.

This project addresses global genomic data gaps by providing insights into genetic mutations affecting over 2.5 billion people worldwide. It aims to foster further collaboration on precision medicine research and solutions globally.

The Emirati Genome Programme is a key component of the National Genome Strategy aimed at transforming healthcare services in the UAE. By providing high-quality genetic data, it enables researchers and physicians to identify causes of genetic diseases, understand mutations, anticipate disease susceptibility, and develop effective personalised healthcare plans.

The meeting was attended by several notable figures including Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri from Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Saif Saeed Ghobash from Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Dr Amer Ahmed Al-Sharif from Dubai Health Authority; and Dr Yousif Mohammed Al-Serkal from Emirates Health Services.

With inputs from WAM