Bumrungrad International Hospital is opening a new genomic medicine centre, a preventive genomics and family check-up services centre, to provide patients with genetic testing services.
The centre will provide gene assay testing, which can detect abnormalities in DNA or gene code, which helps to identify a person's risk of developing certain diseases and potential drug allergies.
Using this method, the centre will be able to provide a proactive approach to disease prevention, suggesting guidelines for behavioural change to reduce the risk. It can also help doctors in deciding on the most effective medication or treatment option for individual patients.
"With its more than 40 years of experience, Bumrungrad has upgraded to become a hospital providing quaternary care through the use of advanced medical and technological innovations, enabling the diagnosis and treatment of increasingly complex and severe cases," said Artirat Charukitpipat, chief executive of Bumrungrad.
"Pioneering innovations, such as genetic testing, provide numerous ways through which Bumrungrad is demonstrating its commitment to the unceasing development of its body of knowledge, while searching for the latest innovations and appropriate technologies in order to fulfil our duty to provide the highest quality treatment and care possible to our patients."
Isorn Sookwanish, director of Bumrungrad's preventive genomics and family check-up services centre, said the hospital established the centre to provide comprehensive services through its multidisciplinary medical team, from pre-examination consultation, gene testing, laboratory analysis of specifically-certified standards, to lab result interpretation by medical genetics specialists.
On identifying any form of hereditary risk, the case is transferred to specialists for consultation or treatment plans to maximise efficiency. The centre will use the tests to detect issues in the areas of hereditary cancers, heart diseases, fertility planning and drug allergies. The centre can accommodate an unlimited number of visitors with a multidisciplinary team of 20 staff, including geneticists and other specialists, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, and other related personnel.