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Dr. Amani Al-Hajeri announced a study reviewing local and international tender bids for conducting whole genome sequencing on 6,000 samples nationwide.
The Director of the National Genome Center, genetic diseases consultant Dr. Amani Al-Hajeri, stated that significant efforts are being made in the National Genome Project, noting that after the launch of the National Genome Center—which includes advanced equipment for preserving and extracting DNA—it has now become possible to store larger quantities of samples safely and efficiently.
In a statement to Al-Ayam, Al-Hajeri said that the Ministry is currently reviewing offers submitted by local and international companies in response to a tender issued for whole genome sequencing testing and research services.
According to the tender, the Ministry seeks to purchase a service to provide whole genome sequencing for 6,000 samples. Two thousand samples will be collected from Bahrain's population for rare disease sequencing, while 4,000 samples will be collected from the Bahraini population for general population sequencing.
Al-Hajeri noted that participation in this national project—considered a major asset for advancing scientific research in the fields of medicine and health—is open to all volunteers over the age of 21. She invited those wishing to participate in the rare diseases category to contact the Genetic Diseases Department at Salmaniya Medical Complex, while volunteers in general can visit health centers to participate or the Genetic Diseases Department at Salmaniya Medical Complex during official working hours.
Regarding the National Genome Project and its details, Al-Hajeri said that, driven by the government's keenness to improve the quality of healthcare services and disease prevention—particularly for genetic, intractable, and fatal diseases—and by adopting the latest innovative scientific methods, the idea of establishing a specialized center for genetic analysis was born.
She added: "The Ministry of Health has taken the necessary steps and measures to establish the center, as this national project aims to provide better life opportunities for future generations, in addition to improving treatment options, raising the quality of healthcare services, and preventing diseases for current generations. This is achieved through providing a DNA database for citizens, as reading and analyzing this data significantly contributes to improving disease diagnosis and early detection, as well as determining individuals' susceptibility to diseases. It also contributes to the prevention of genetic diseases and the development of effective medications to treat them, which helps provide a healthy life and disease prevention for current and future generations, contributing to elevating the level of healthcare services provided to everyone in our beloved Kingdom."
Al-Hajeri told Al-Ayam that work on the project began with the formation of a working team to develop and implement an activation plan for the establishment of the Genome Analysis Unit project, which was chaired by the Minister of Health, Ms. Faeqa bint Saeed Al-Saleh, in May 2018. She noted that the first pilot phase required collecting one thousand samples from the category of undiagnosed rare diseases and healthy volunteers; however, this number was exceeded, reaching more than two thousand samples.
She continued: "The first genome project symposium was also held in October 2018, with the participation and attendance of a select group of experts from inside and outside the Kingdom, and a series of introductory lectures and training workshops were held for medical and health staff from within and outside the Ministry." At the 2019 Government Forum, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister, announced the launch of the National Genome Project, aiming to collect 50,000 samples over 5 years and establish a comprehensive national database. This aims to improve the quality of healthcare services provided and continue adopting the latest and most advanced technologies in the health field, which will help enhance diagnostic accuracy and develop innovative solutions for citizens' health.
