The share of genetically incompatible Emirati couples choosing marriage reached 71% in September 2026, down from about 90% at the program’s January 2025 launch, Emarat Al Youm reported, citing EHS.
EHS attributed the decline to greater awareness of test results and specialist counseling, the newspaper reported. It said screening was offered at 21 health centers, results were available within 14 working days, and couples with incompatible findings were referred for genetic counseling.
By the end of September, EHS had screened 6,990 couples, or 13,980 Emirati men and women, according to Emarat Al Youm. The outlet reported that 6,708 couples were classified as genetically compatible and 282 as incompatible.
Genetic testing became a required part of premarital screening for UAE nationals on Jan. 1, 2025, EHS announced. The program is intended to identify shared genetic risks before marriage and give couples information and counseling about potential risks to future children.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) classifies a couple as genetically incompatible when each partner carries an identical variant associated with disease. Its guidance says the screening covers 570 genes linked to more than 840 genetic disorders.
