UMMID
Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) – Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India Initiative
UMMID initiative shall work to shift focus from “sick-care” to “wellness” by promoting the prevention of genetic diseases.
Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID)
Department of Biotechnology launched UMMID initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases. The program has been implemented through hospitals to promote the use of cutting-edge scientific technology and molecular medicine on the concept of “Prevention is better than Cure”.
The Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Initiative, launched in 2019, aims to provide a model framework to seed the establishment of such a network in the Government healthcare system. The UMMID Initiative has been implemented to address the burden of genetic disorders in the country through establishment of three components: NIDAN Kendras (establishment of genetic diagnosis centres in Government Hospitals); capacity building among Government doctors; and outreach to aspirational districts for antenatal & newborn screening and awareness about genetic route for rare disorders. The screening program primarily screens pregnant women for hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease etc, and newborns for five major genetic disorders requiring early intervention, including congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, biotinidase deficiency, galactosemia, and G6PD deficiency. The need for UMMID has been emphasized in the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The programme has been viewed as instrumental tool for development of trained manpower, resources and to establish network in government setup. The next level implementation may be in terms of setting up of a ‘National Screening Program’ for genetic disorders, and that will be taken up by to Ministry of Health. Till that time, the programme needs funding from the Department which mainly engage in promotion of research and development and creation of foundation for the envisioned ‘National Screening Programme’.