Free Screening Facilities for Thalassemia and Genetic Disorders to Benefit Expectant Couples and Newborns
Lucknow: King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, marked a significant advancement in medical education and diagnostic services with the inauguration of a newly renovated Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) Practical Laboratory and the DBT NIDAN (National Inherited Disease AdministratioN) Centre in the Department of Pathology.
The facilities were inaugurated by Prof. Soniya Nityanand on June 15, 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Nityanand congratulated the Department of Pathology for strengthening the university’s academic and clinical infrastructure. She appreciated the modernization of the UG and PG practical laboratories, noting that the upgraded facilities would provide a more advanced, student-friendly, and conducive learning environment capable of accommodating the full MBBS batch strength.
Highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, the Vice-Chancellor said the newly established DBT NIDAN Centre would offer screening services for hereditary disorders such as thalassemia among expectant couples. Emphasizing the principle that “Prevention is Better than Cure,” she underscored the critical role of early diagnosis and newborn screening in ensuring timely intervention and improved health outcomes.
Prof. Suresh Babu reaffirmed the department’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. He noted that the diagnostic initiative is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration involving the Department of Pathology, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Hematology, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Providing details of the project, Dr. Mili Jain said the centre has been established in the Department of Pathology with financial support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, along with assistance from the university administration.
The DBT NIDAN Centre will provide a range of diagnostic and screening services free of cost, including:
- Thalassemia screening for pregnant women and their spouses.
- Newborn screening for several inherited and metabolic disorders, including:
- G6PD Deficiency
- Congenital Hypothyroidism
- Galactosemia
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
The facility is expected to play a vital role in the early detection and prevention of inherited diseases, thereby reducing the burden of genetic disorders and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by faculty members of the Department of Pathology, senior clinicians from various departments, researchers, medical students, and other distinguished guests.
The launch of the renovated laboratories and the DBT NIDAN Centre represents another important milestone in KGMU’s efforts to enhance medical education, promote preventive healthcare, and strengthen diagnostic capabilities for the benefit of patients and future healthcare professionals alike.
