Nizwa: The Directorate General of Health Services in A’Dakhiliyah Governorate today organized a symposium in Nizwa on the importance of premarital medical examinations. During the symposium, health experts explained to members of the public that such examinations help limit the spread of genetic and infectious diseases. They added that the tests secure the future of new families and promote community health in general.

According to Oman News Agency, the symposium was held by Farq Health Centre at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Nizwa. It included a working paper by Prof. Salam Salim Al Kindi, Director of the National Center for Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation. The paper dealt with hereditary blood diseases in the Sultanate of Oman. In the presentation, Prof. Salam spoke about the prevalence of sickle cell anemia and thalassemia and stressed the importance of early screening to limit new infections.

The symposium was held under the auspices of Sheikh Saleh Dhiyab Al Rubai’ee, Wali of Nizwa.