presentation of the genetic counseling network in the welfare organization of iran, 1997–2008

the importance of genetic and congenital factors which causes many diseases and disabilities is obvious with a glance at the facts and figures in the world. in iran, like many other middle eastern countries, certain factors exist that worsen the situation, such as: 1. high percentage of consanguinous marriages, 2. high incidence and prevalence of hemoglobinopathies (ex. b-thalassemia & g6pd-d), 3. a social preference for child bearing up to older ages, 4. insufficient public health programs and facilities regarding this issue, 5. expensive genetic counseling services, in the governmental or non-governmental sectors, 6. insufficient public knowledge about the causes and possible preventive measures for genetic and congenital diseases or disabilities. this comprehensive program is planned with the aim of implementation of a genetic counseling network. in other words with the goal of providing genetic counseling services, with the best quality, least expenses and easy availability for the whole population in the country. the general goal of this comprehensive program is to decrease the incidence and prevalence of genetic and congenital disabilities. for implementing this program the network has gradually expanded with about 128 genetic counseling centers throughout the country. the first level is counseling centers in smaller cities the intermediate level is counseling centers in the capital of each province, and the highest level is the state commission of genetics in tehran. the referral centers are located in the capital of six provinces, including tehran, tabriz, hamedan, yazd, shiraz and mashhad. these provinces are the head of six regional offices in the country. the staves in smaller cities are a general physician along with a professional nurse, midwife or geneticist, and in the provincial capital cities is a specialist along with a general physician and one professional nurse, midwife, or geneticist. the staves in the provincial referral center are at least 2 specialists and 2 - 3 general physicians, with years of experience. the members of the state commission of genetics are about 10 specialists (pediatricians, clinical geneticists, cytogeneticists, molecular geneticists and other specialists such as neurologists and etc.) the network has gradually expanded since the year 1997, and now we have 128 governmental and private genetic counseling centers throughout the country. these centers have been offering services to approximately 300,000 clients until now. these years, about 638 genetic counselors have been trained by the state welfare organization. in some of the provinces such as tehran, there are 19 centers and in some provinces like ilam, there is only 1 center. the mean for the counseling centers in each province are at least 2 - 3. in conclusion we should say bcause of the importance of preventing genetic and congenital disorders and the need of genetic counseling centers in iran, the genetic counseling network has been designed and implemented since 1997 to present. the genetic counseling network which has important role in preventing the genetic and congenital disorders, offers good quality, low cost and easily available services to population at risk.