Premarital screening in Mecca 2025: Results for 6100 beneficiaries

The premarital screening center at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Makkah, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, achieved a significant medical and community milestone in 2025, providing services to over 6,100 citizens and residents. This achievement aligns with ongoing national efforts to promote public health and reduce the prevalence of genetic diseases, contributing to a vibrant society and families free from chronic illnesses.

Healthy Marriage Program: A National Context for Prevention

Premarital screening in Saudi Arabia is a mandatory and strategic step aimed at detecting certain genetic diseases (such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia) and some infectious diseases (such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV). The Ministry of Health has been working for years to develop this program to reduce the financial, psychological, and social burdens that may result from consanguineous marriages or marriages involving carriers of recessive genetic traits. This aligns directly with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes the principle of "prevention is better than cure.".

Detailed statistics on beneficiaries in Mecca

Statistics released by the Makkah Health Cluster revealed detailed information about the beneficiaries, with 4,673 Saudi patients and 1,427 non-Saudi patients. Notably, there was a significant similarity in the turnout rates between the sexes, reflecting a growing societal awareness of the importance of this procedure; the statistics recorded 3,246 women and 2,854 men undergoing the necessary examinations.

Test results and medical indicators

In terms of laboratory results, the center identified 311 positive cases of individuals with or carrying the traits for inherited blood disorders. Sickle cell anemia topped the list at 61% of the positive cases, followed by beta-thalassemia at 20%. These figures highlight the importance of the medical counseling sessions offered by the center, where the genetic probabilities of transmitting the disease to offspring are explained, empowering couples planning to marry to make informed decisions based on accurate scientific facts.

Integrated services and specialized clinics

The center's role is not limited to collecting samples only, but it operates within an integrated system that includes several specialized clinics to ensure the safety of the family:

• Health Education Clinic: To raise awareness of the importance of check-ups and adherence to measles and rubella vaccinations for girls.
• Medical Counseling Clinic: Dedicated to cases showing genetic incompatibility or infectious disease infections, to provide medical advice and preventive measures.
• Psychological and Physical Assessment Clinic: A quality service dedicated to minors (under 18 years old) to ensure their psychological and health readiness for marriage.

In conclusion, experts emphasize that adherence to these examinations is the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s strategy to reduce rates of genetic diseases, which will positively impact quality of life and reduce pressure on the health system in the future.