Delhi government facility brings free newborn screening for genetic diseases, to be replicated across city

The Delhi government has launched a free newborn screening program called Mission ANMOL, which aims to screen 250,000 newborns annually for 56 genetic diseases. Located at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, the Medical Genetics Lab houses an ultra-low temperature freezer and a newborn screening laboratory, making genetic testing accessible to families who may not otherwise afford such advanced diagnostics.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced plans to expand the programme to other government hospitals across the city, with the goal of screening every child born in Delhi for these conditions at no cost. Dr. Seema Kapur, professor of genetics at the lab, stated that an average of 14,000 newborn samples are screened each month, although not all genetic conditions are identified through these tests.

The laboratory also offers genetic testing for parents, particularly when a genetic condition has been identified in a family member.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.