Chandigarh to go for mass screening for genetic disorder

Chandigarh, Jan 6: Chandigarh has become the first in the country to go for mass screening to detect genetic disorder at initial stages.

All the pregnant mothers and new-born children will be screened for genetic disorder which could lead to any type of disability, a meeting chaired by Union Territory Home Secretary, Krishna Mohan yesterday decided.

Neonatal screening of all the children will be initiated to check any adverse effect, he said.

The screening will be initiated at Government Medical College and Hospital to be taken up later at Post Graduate Institute Chandigarh, Government Multi Specialty Hospital and all other hospitals will follow the suit.

Poor and below poverty line people will be provided this facility free of cost. The fee for others has been kept at a nominal Rs 100 against the market fee of Rs 1,000.

Revolving fund will be created out of the income generated from the investigations carried out in the genetic laboratories to be used for the purchase of various items for genetic centre.

The meeting also discussed the issue of starting new services for screening the thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia and it was decided to procure the requisite equipment immediately to launch the facility within six months.

UNI