Published on
Bahrain's Ministry of Health trained over 80 health professionals to collect 1,000 genome samples for its new biobank project.
In implementation of the directives of the Coordination Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, regarding the project to establish a genome analysis unit, the Ministry of Health organized an introductory workshop on the mechanisms for collecting samples from the Bahraini community, in preparation for processing them for the tests required to study human genome patterns. The workshop was held on Monday at the Al Jawhara Hall at King Abdullah Medical City, as part of the Ministry’s preparations to launch the Genome Bank, which will collect and store the largest possible number of samples in order to establish a genome analysis unit, with the aim of strengthening preventive aspects and protecting society from genetic diseases.
More than 80 participants from the health centers and the Salmaniya Medical Complex took part in the workshop, to prepare them to collect 1,000 samples. The workshop covered a number of topics, including how to prepare staff to receive visitors, raise their awareness of the work mechanism and conduct the tests. Questions about the Genome Project were also discussed, through which health and genomic initiatives will be built in Bahrain, together with the challenges of establishing biobanks and international regulations, in addition to genome sequencing, including its opportunities, challenges, ethics, and information systems and their protection.
The Ministry of Health began on Tuesday receiving visitors at its facilities, represented by the Salmaniya Medical Complex and the health centers, to collect blood samples in preparation for the Genome Bank, which will operate under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health.
