‘UMMID’: To Tackle Inherited Genetic Diseases Of New Born Babies

• 06 Jan 2020

• The Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology has launched UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders) Initiative and inaugurated NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras to tackle inherited genetic diseases of new born babies designed on the concept of ‘Prevention is better than Cure’.
• The program is being implemented at government hospitals so that people who cannot afford expensive care for genetic disorders will be benefited.
• In India’s urban areas, congenital malformations and genetic disorders are the third most common cause of mortality in newborns. With a very large population and high birth rate, and consanguineous marriage favored in many communities, prevalence of genetic disorders is high in India.

The UMMID initiative aims to

1. Establish NIDAN Kendras to provide counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals wherein the influx of patients is more,
2. Produce skilled clinicians in Human Genetics and
3. Undertake screening of pregnant women and new born babies for inherited genetic diseases in hospitals at aspirational districts.

• As a part of this initiative, in the first phase, five NIDAN Kendras have been established to provide comprehensive clinical care.