Maldives launches first government DNA lab for thalassemia testing

A new DNA laboratory capable of identifying thalassemia‑related mutations has been opened at Maldivian Blood Services.

The facility was inaugurated on Sunday by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.

Speaking at the ceremony, Male’ City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem said the lab will provide crucial information on inherited blood disorders. He noted that the laboratory can analyze blood samples and identify 27 different mutations found in the Maldives.

“These are very important tests for blood treatment providers. Special kits have been designed based on the types of blood diseases found in the Maldives,” Haleem said.

He added that the new laboratory will be able to detect key mutations that were previously undetectable in earlier analyses.

ރާއްޖޭގައި ފުރަތަމަ ފަހަރަށް ސަރުކާރުގެ ހޮސްޕިޓަލެއްގައި ތެލަސީމިއާގެ އެކި ޓެސްޓްތައް ހެދޭ ޑީ.އެން.އޭ ލެބޯރެޓަރީ ޤާއިމުކޮށް ޚިދުމަތް ދޭން ފަށައިފިއެވެ. މޯލްޑިވިއަން ބްލަޑް ސަރވިސަސްގައި ބޭއްވި ޚާއްސަ ރަސްމިއްޔާތެއްގައި ލެބޯރަޓަރީ ހުޅުއްވައިދެއްވީ ސިއްޙީ ވަޒީރު @ANazim2019 އެވެ. pic.twitter.com/ZcQ0OXkzLI

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According to Haleem, the service will help identify individuals carrying thalassemia traits at an early age and even before marriage. He said this will support the government’s efforts to reduce thalassemia prevalence and strengthen prenatal diagnostic services, ensuring long‑term benefits for future generations.

The laboratory was established with MVR 2.5 million from the state budget. Maldivian Blood Services noted that this is the first time such a service has been launched in a government health facility.

Previously, DNA‑based thalassemia testing was provided by the Society for Health Education (SHE).