Moga’s “Umeed” Initiative: 10,000 pregnant women to get free genetic screening for Thalassemia and other disorders
Moga, August 31, 2025: With the joint efforts of the Punjab Government and PGIMER Chandigarh, a genetic testing laboratory has been established at the Mother & Child Ward of Civil Hospital, Moga under the “Umeed” initiative. Here, pregnant women are being provided free genetic screening and counselling. This screening detects treatable genetic disorders including congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosemia, thalassemias, G6PD deficiency, biotinidase deficiency, and others through dried blood spot testing. This information was shared by Deputy Commissioner Moga, Sagar Setia.
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- -So far, free genetic tests conducted for 3,059 pregnant women and 1,029 children: Deputy Commissioner
The Deputy Commissioner stated that with the help of this lab, many serious diseases in children can be detected even before birth, enabling timely treatment. He described this project as a revolutionary step for improving maternal and child health in Moga. The primary aim of this initiative is to diagnose genetic disorders at an early stage, save lives, and ensure the well-being of families.
He further informed that around 10,000 pregnant women in Moga will undergo HbA2 screening using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to detect thalassemia disorders. If both partners (husband and wife) are found to be carriers of the genetic disorder thalassemia, then all necessary prenatal tests will be carried out. Under this program, all pregnant women can provide blood samples at the lab to check for thalassemia traits. Additionally, nearly 5,000 newborns will also be screened for common, treatable genetic disorders.
The Deputy Commissioner said that since January 2025, about 3,059 pregnant women have already been tested for genetic disorders, out of which 102 were found to have genetic blood disorders. Moreover, 1,029 children have also undergone testing. This project has been implemented under the Aspirational District Program by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Setia further mentioned that pregnant women are being made aware of this initiative through Aam Aadmi Clinics, health centers, and anganwadi centers so that maximum mothers and children can benefit from the screening facilities available at this lab.
Deputy Commissioner Sagar Setia appealed to the public to avail themselves of the maximum benefit of this scheme, stressing that timely detection of genetic disorders can lead to proper treatment and healthier lives for mothers and children.