Abu Dhabi to enhance national newborn screening programme

In Abu Dhabi, healthcare is leaping ahead of symptoms. A new genetic screening programme for newborns is being rolled out, designed to catch conditions before they ever show their hand. With cord blood tests taken at birth, doctors can now peer into the blueprint of life itself, spotting over 800 potential disorders that, if left unchecked, could alter a child's future.

As Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health, put it bluntly: "Health care begins long before symptoms appear and today, empowered by science and technology, we can act earlier than ever before." That's not hyperbole — it's a promise that Abu Dhabi is investing in tomorrow's generation today.

How does it work?

The programme, launched by Abu Dhabi's Department of Health in partnership with the Emirati Genome Council, hinges on one deceptively simple step: collecting cord blood with parental consent at the moment of birth.

• That blood is then screened for 815 treatable genetic conditions.
• Doctors look for red flags spanning metabolic disorders, immunodeficiencies, hematologic diseases, and rare conditions like spinal muscular atrophy.
• If a marker is found, interventions — from gene therapy to tailored treatments — can begin before the condition ever undermines the child's quality of life.

The first phase has already begun at Kanad Hospital and Danat Al Emarat Hospital, with support from the healthcare company M42. Expansion across every maternity hospital in Abu Dhabi is already on the horizon.

Why does it matter?

Timing is everything in medicine. Many genetic conditions hide in plain sight during infancy, only to surface when damage is already done. By starting on day one of life, Abu Dhabi's newborns get something priceless: time.

This isn't just about prevention. It's about rethinking healthcare from reactive firefighting to proactive guardianship. "Through early detection, personalised care and strategic foresight, we are building a future of healthier generations and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in proactive, precision health care," said Dr Al Ghaithi.

The stakes are high. A child spared from the effects of a metabolic disease or given early access to gene therapy isn't just healthier — they're able to live a fuller, more dignified life. That ripples outwards to families, schools, and society at large.

The context

Genomics has become the new frontier in healthcare, and Abu Dhabi is making sure it doesn't lag behind. The move aligns with a broader global shift: healthcare systems everywhere are experimenting with genomic data to move away from the "one-size-fits-all" model of medicine.

Dr Mohamed Al Ameri, acting director of genome and biobank division at the Department of Health, underscored that ambition: "As we work to integrate genomics into our preventative healthcare infrastructure, we aim to expand this initiative to all maternity hospitals in the emirate, demonstrating how genomics can reshape health care."

Behind the scenes, training is also afoot. Paediatricians and neonatologists at Corniche, Danat Al Emarat, and Kanad hospitals are learning the ins and outs of genetic counselling — because spotting a risk is only half the battle; guiding families through it is the other half.

This is Abu Dhabi staking its claim: not just to offer world-class healthcare, but to define what "world-class" will mean in the next decade.