Symposium Stresses Specialized Training on Genetic Counselling to Address Inherited Disorders
UrduPoint
Pakistan Today
A one-day symposium on “Role of Genetics in Modern Obstetrics: Opportunities and Challenges” highlighted the need for expanding genetic testing and counselling services and introducing specialized training programs in Pakistan to tackle the growing burden of inherited disorders.
Key Takeaways:
- There is a pressing need for accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive genetic services in Pakistan due to high rates of consanguineous marriages.
- The symposium emphasized the importance of:
- Genetic counselling
- Pre-test and post-test counselling
- Pedigree analysis
- Genetic disease databases
- Comprehensive clinical histories for genetic studies
- There is an urgent need to promote education and training in genetic counselling to prepare professionals capable of raising public awareness, providing risk assessments, and offering personalized treatment options.
- Dedicated clinics for patients with genetic disorders should be established to facilitate early diagnosis and management.
Speakers:
- Dr. Musharraf Jelani, Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Khyber Medical University (KMU), served as the main speaker.
- Dr. Qaiser Zaman, Assistant Professor at Higher Education Commission (HEC), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presented on genetic disorders and their diagnosis.
Attendees:
The symposium was attended by doctors specializing in gynecology, obstetrics, and genetics, as well as researchers working on genetic diseases.
Key Recommendations:
- Introduce specialized training programs in genetic counselling at leading academic and medical institutions.
- Offer these programs to students from diverse backgrounds (medical, non-medical, basic sciences).
- Establish dedicated genetic clinics for early diagnosis and management of rare diseases.
