MoHAP launches national newborn screening guidelines

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the National Newborn Screening Guidelines to standardize and enhance medical examination procedures for newborns across the country, aligning with international best practices. The guidelines aim to prevent early health complications by standardizing required laboratory and clinical tests and identifying designated reference laboratories nationwide.

The launch event was attended by officials, including Dr. Nada Hassan Al Marzouqi, Director of Public Health and Prevention Department and Dr. Suad Al Awar, Head of the Family Health Department, along with members of the National Newborn Screening Committee from both the government and private health sectors.

The guidelines aim to improve the quality of care for all newborns through continuous quality improvement principles. They provide consistent screening approaches and pathways for the detection, diagnosis and intervention of conditions that could impact a newborn’s health or long-term survival, including necessary referrals.

These measures are expected to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates among newborns and build the capacity of healthcare providers. The guidelines also emphasize health awareness, offering parental guidance and health education to ensure children can lead healthy lives from the start.