Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital receives 100 free NIPT test samples for pregnant women

Attending the ceremony were Professor, Doctor Tran Danh Cuong - Director of the Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, Central Maternity Hospital; Master, Doctor Ho Giang Nam - Chief of Office of Nghe An Department of Health; Doctor, Specialist 2 Tang Xuan Hai - Party Secretary, Director of Nghe An Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital; Specialist 2 Tang Viet Ha - Director of Northwest Regional General Hospital; Specialist 2 Le Xuan Hong - Director of Southwest Regional General Hospital; representative of Gene Solutions Limited Liability Company; many doctors and medical staff in the province.

At the ceremony, Dr. Tang Xuan Hai, Specialist 2 - Director of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital stated: "In recent years, the prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis system of the Vietnamese health sector has been developing strongly, updating world-class advances. Many prenatal malformations, including heart defects, morphological and functional malformations, and genetic malformations of the fetus have been detected by Vietnamese and Nghe An doctors very early before birth. Thanks to that, pregnant mothers, families and doctors have had appropriate pregnancy care plans. The great scientific and humanistic value of prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis has been and is being strongly promoted."

Gene Solutions Limited Company's sponsorship of NIPT test samples has contributed to improving the capacity for prenatal diagnosis and screening, helping to detect early the risk of fetuses having common and dangerous birth defects: Down, Edwards, Patau, Turner, Thalassemia... supporting pregnant women in difficult circumstances in Nghe An province to access modern genetic testing methods, helping to effectively care for their pregnancies. Thereby, contributing to improving the quality of Vietnam's population.

Receiving 100 NIPT test samples, with the responsibility of improving population quality through building and expanding the prenatal and newborn screening system to the grassroots health care system, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital also distributed 30 NIPT test samples to the Northwest Regional General Hospital and Southwest Regional General Hospital each.

Accordingly, from April 12, 2024 to July 31, 2024, pregnant women in difficult circumstances in Nghe An province will have easy access to NIPT prenatal screening. From there, doctors will detect and intervene early on congenital malformations in the fetus, helping the child to develop normally or avoid serious consequences caused by congenital malformations. The program may end early if free samples run out.

Also at the signing ceremony, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital organized a scientific workshop and continuous training on "NIPT testing for all pregnant women, improving the quality of the Vietnamese population".

The workshop was organized with the aim of improving the professional capacity of obstetricians and gynecologists of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and other hospitals and medical centers in Nghe An province, especially updating knowledge in the field of prenatal screening and diagnosis of congenital hemolytic disease (Thalassemia).

Notably, the workshop content mentioned a new approach "Integrated NIPT test for screening for congenital hemolytic anemia (Thalassemia)". This is a practical model, expanding the scope of screening and optimizing costs, based on the needs and desires of obstetricians as well as pregnant women. With just one blood draw, pregnant women can screen for common congenital malformations of the fetus (Down, Edwards, Patau) and test for screening for alpha and beta Thalassemia for the mother.

Early screening and diagnosis of Thalassemia in children before birth will help pregnant women manage their pregnancy more effectively, while supporting timely and effective treatment, reducing complications for children./.