JUST INSIDE Gate 1 of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, Delhi's largest government-run tertiary-care hospital, low rectangular building sits beside new medical block. It houses hospital's Medical Genetics Lab. Inside, brightly lit corridor runs past about 10 rooms. Near entrance is sample collection area.
Tabshir Shams reports Monitoring for Optimal Life care is being run since March, making genetic screening accessible for families who may otherwise be unable to afford such advanced diagnostics.
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Programme, announced in Delhi government's 2026-27 Budget earlier this year, aims to screen 250,000 newborns annually for 56 genetic diseases, including congenital hypothyroidism, congenital heart defects, hearing impairment, and eye diseases. Currently, this is only such facility run by Delhi government. But Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said genetic testing facilities would soon be expanded to other government hospitals across city.
"At a recent Cabinet meeting, we decided to expand coverage of Mission ANMOL," he said.
Our aim is to screen every child born in Delhi, free of cost, for 56 genetic diseases so that these conditions can be detected early and children can receive timely care. Gradually, we will expand scope of programme and increase number of genetic testing laboratories across Delhi," he said.
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Dr Seema Kapur, professor of genetics at Medical Genetics Lab, said average of about 14,000 newborn samples being screened each month. However, she underlined that not all genetic conditions are identified through these tests.
"Newborns may be referred for testing if they have developmental delays, birth defects or illness that doctors cannot explain. Apart from newborn screening, department receives around 30-40 such referrals each day," she said.
Laboratory screens for range of genetic and other conditions that can be difficult to detect at birth. "In newborn babies, we primarily look for G6PD deficiency, which can cause red blood cells to break down; thyroid problems that can affect baby's development; and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition in which adrena glands do not produce some hormones properly, along with around 50 other markers," said Dr Sunil Polipalli, senior scientist at laboratory.
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Besides screening newborns, Dr Kapur said facility also offers genetic testing for parents, particularly when genetic condition has been identified in family member.
For India where 1.7 million birth defects annually, universal newborn screening can prevent intellectual disability, death.
Tags: #NewbornScreening #LNJP #MissionANMOL #GeneticDiseases #DelhiGovt #PublicHealth #Congenital #G6PD #DelhiHealth #MedicalGenetics