5th MEGMA Symposium Kicks Off Under the Patronage of Dr. Said Hareb Al Lamki.

Muscat: The 5th International Middle East Genetics and Metabolic Academy (MEGMA) symposium commenced today, hosted under the auspices of Dr. Said Hareb Al Lamki, who serves as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs. The event witnessed the presence of Professor Majid Abdullah Al Fadl, Head of Genetics and Precision Medicine Department at King Abdullah Specialized Hospital. According to Oman News Agency, the three-day symposium is organized by the Oman Society for Genetic Medicine in collaboration with the Middle East Genetics and Metabolism Academy. It features lectures by 55 speakers from the GCC countries and other parts of the world, drawing the participation of 150 specialists in medical genetics. The symposium aims to foster knowledge and collaboration in the field, promote professional networking, and support career development for those specializing in medical genetics. The first day's program focused on addressing challenges and reviewing key strategies in the management of various genetic conditions. Topics included early detection strategies for MPS II, management outcomes, clinical, chemical, and laboratory genetics, response to niacin treatment in a patient with a NAXE gene defect, and an overview of Mucopolysaccharidosis type X. Additionally, discussions covered intestinal genetics, hereditary metabolic acidosis management, advancements in PKU management, new treatments for rare diseases, and spinal muscular atrophy in children. The symposium will continue on its second and third days with a workshop on epidermolysis bullosa in the Middle East and North Africa. The workshop will address molecular epidemiology in Arab countries, newborn care, characterization of new rare muscle diseases, updates on precision therapies for inborn errors of metabolism, and integrating genomics and metabolomics to improve rare disease diagnosis. Other topics will include the characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia in Oman and the impact of genetic sequencing on families affected by c hronic kidney disease.