Iranian national program for the prevention of thalassemia and prenatal diagnosis : mandatory premarital screening and legal medical abortion.

摘要

Tamhankar et al. (2009) in their paper had mentioned that 'premarital screening is preferred in countries like Iran because of religious objection to prenatal diagnosis (PND) and medical termination of pregnancy and high-risk prospective couples almost always cancel their marriage plans.' For this they have cited few papers which are from Iran (Samavat and Modell, 2004). We are fully familiar with the Iranian National Program for the Prevention of thalassemia and we think their comment does not show the real picture of the above program. Therefore it may be useful for other countries and health planners to be fully aware of the program.