The Government of India recently inaugurated the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders) initiative in an effort to combat inherited genetic diseases among newborn babies. Emphasizing on the maxim ‘Prevention is better than Cure’, the programme aims to harness advanced scientific technology and molecular medicine to attain Universal Health Coverage for every citizen. It will be operationalized through government hospitals across the country.
Prevalence of Genetic Disorders in India
In urban India, congenital malformations and genetic disorders rank third as the primary cause of mortality for newborns, surpassed only by prematurity and low birth weight complications, and infections. This high prevalence of genetic disorders in India can be attributed to a large population, high birth rate, and the tradition of consanguineous marriage prevalent in many communities.
Objectives of the UMMID Initiative
The UMMID initiative has set several specific targets. Firstly, it plans to set up NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras, which will offer counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals that receive a large influx of patients. Secondly, the initiative aims to train clinicians in Human Genetics. Thirdly, it endeavours to undertake screening of pregnant women and newborn babies for inherited genetic diseases in hospitals located in aspirational districts. Lastly, the initiative aims to create awareness about genetic disorders among clinicians and to set up molecular diagnostics in hospitals.
Shift to Wellness with UMMID Initiative
UMMID initiative proposes a shift from “sick-care” to “wellness” by addressing the prevention of genetic diseases. The wellness-centric approach instils the belief that mitigating these diseases before they occur surpasses the traditional method of managing diseases after diagnosis.
| Disease | Type of Genetic Disease |
|---|---|
| Sickle Cell Anemia | Genetic Disorder |
| Heart Disease | Multifactorial Inherited Disorder |
| High Blood Pressure | Multifactorial Inherited Disorder |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | Genetic Disorder |
| Diabetes | Multifactorial Inherited Disorder |
| Cancer | Multifactorial Inherited Disorder |
| Obesity | Multifactorial Inherited Disorder |
Understanding Inherited Genetic Disorders
A genetic disorder is a disease triggered partially or entirely by variations in the DNA sequence from the standard sequence. Such disorders can be instigated by a mutation in one gene (monogenic disorder), multiple gene mutations (multifactorial inheritance disorder), a combination of gene mutations, or damage to chromosomes. Notable examples of these disorders include Sickle Cell Anemia, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, Cancer, and Obesity.
