The Department of Genetic & Genomics of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the United Arab Emirates university has launched the first Genetic Counseling program in the United Arab Emirates, to enhance its outcomes and to offer advanced academic disciplines to provide society with medical specializations graduates who meet the needs of medical institutions for qualitative specializations and support the clinical genetic consultations. 

Dr. Muna Al Saffar, Head of the Genetic Counseling program, at the United Arab Emirates university, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, stated that “the Genetic Counseling program is one of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, it is a 2 years academic clinical program designed for those who want to pursue a specialized occupation to improve the life quality of individuals and their families who have been diagnosed, or might develop genetic diseases. The program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to have a positive impact on the quality of people who suffer from genetic disorders life’s thereby making the burden of the genetic cases less on society.” 

She added, “the aim of the program is to improve the competencies of genetic disorders specialists, it concentrates on strengthening the clinical consultation skills in the field of paediatric genetic assessment, premarital screening, pre-pregnancy examination, prenatal testing, and cancer and adult genetics. In addition to the attention to the psychological support skills, protecting patients’ rights, and improving the skills of the program members in clinical genetic research and community services.” 

Dr. Al Saffar reaffirmed that genetic counseling is a growing and needed profession, not only in the field of clinical genetics but also in academia and genomic research, modern diagnosis laboratories, and in developing health policies and in direct consumer genetic services. 

Dr. Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi, the Executive Director of Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said “the launch of the United Arab Emirates university of the Genetic Counseling Master Program is supported by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, as part of its keenness to continue enhancing the potentials and competencies in genomic sciences and genetic counseling, and in personalized accurate medicine to meet its growing needs, which elevates the experience of community members and enhances their health and wellbeing.” 

For her part, Prof. Fatma Al Jasmi, Chair of the Department of Genetic & Genomics affirmed that “the program offers balance between the advanced genome techniques and the powerful psychological and social genetic counseling and research training. Especially given that the program is designed to suit the multi-backgrounds and cultures Emirati society, and that the training is applicable in the clinical environment of the various healthcare providers in the UAE and will contribute to improving genome care through preparing competent genetics consultants.”