Singapore Launches National Genetic Testing Programme for Inherited Cholesterol Condition

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it will commence a national genetic testing program on June 30, specifically targeting familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an inherited disorder that impairs the body’s cholesterol processing. This initiative seeks to detect FH early, ultimately lowering the likelihood of early-onset heart disease through timely medical interventions.

Around 20,000 individuals in Singapore are estimated to suffer from FH, who face a dramatically elevated risk of heart attacks, potentially up to 20 times greater than the wider population. Recognizing the hereditary nature of this condition, the MOH plans to set up three Genomic Assessment Centres across the nation's healthcare clusters.

The first of these centers, run by SingHealth, will be situated at the National Heart Centre and will begin accepting referrals on June 30. Following this, additional facilities, managed by the National Healthcare Group and National University Health System, will be established. Before undergoing testing, referred individuals will receive pre-test genetic counseling to gain insights into the potential implications and benefits of the testing process, which includes a blood draw and subsequent analysis. After testing is completed, post-test genetic counseling will help participants understand their results and the associated consequences.