The Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital has launched a new genetic unit at Secunderabad. The new unit is mainly aimed at catering to genetic evaluation of rare disorders and consanguineous ailments assessment.

With the launch of this new unit for genetics at KIMS, doctors and super specialised medical geneticists can give information about any precarious condition in a person that could be the result of genetic makeup of the individual. With a detailed genetic assessment report it not only gives a better understanding for doctors but the patients can also know their condition was inherited and how likely it may occur in a family. If any genetic disease is pre-assessed, the genetic consultant will be able to advise if it is result of single faulty gene or due to abnormal chromosomes and discuss any reproductive or treatment choices available to prevent the same genetic disease in future generations.

Headed by senior doctors, the genetic unit is well equipped with advanced technology and has highly trained staff. Inaugurating the new unit, Dr B Bhaskar Rao, managing director, KIMS Hospitals said, “Installation of the genetics department is another big feather in our cap. This new unit will not only help us carry out further research on hereditary diseases but it will also enable us to understand the disease profiles of each and every patient and enable us to guide them appropriately.”

“Over 90 per cent of India’s medical colleges and postgraduate universities do not provide training and education in clinical genetics and genetic counseling, contributing to a dearth of professionals specialising in these fields. Our department of genetics, along with the best infrastructure has a qualified genetic consultant to guide the doctors and patients regarding genetic conditions”, informed Dr Rao.

Throwing some light on the newly launched department, Dr Risha Nahar Lulla, head of genetics department, KIMS said, “Research has proved that 9 out of every 10 deaths due to ill-heath from across the world have a genetic component associated with it. Our department at every stage of life, especially prior to marriage, before and after pregnancy, after birth of a baby and when kids are younger help identify and take appropriate corrective measures to mitigate the inherited problems.”

Genetics is currently a preventative field of health care as most genetic disorders do not have a cure, but can be efficiently prevented with timely carrier screening, pre-implantation screening, prenatal screening and diagnosis. This requires the families to be aware of their carrier status for commonly-occurring genetic conditions such as beta thalassemia, aickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, fredreich ataxia etc. “We offer more than 400 genetic tests to identify inherited causes of cancers, infertility, recurrent abortions, sick babies and children, adult neurological and muscular conditions etc.”, added Dr Lulla.