Mon Feb 24 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Hyderabad’s NIMS Medical Genetics Department Celebrates Decade of Success in Treating Rare Diseases

**Hyderabad, February 24, 2025** – The Department of Medical Genetics at Hyderabad’s Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) is celebrating a decade of providing state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients with rare genetic disorders. Established in 2008 in collaboration with the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), the department has become a leading center for rare disease treatment in India, seeing a dramatic increase in patient visits from 2,453 in 2014 to over 12,000 in 2024.

The department treats a wide range of conditions including Gaucher Disease, Homocystinuria, and Pompe Disease, among others. Its significant contributions led to its designation as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in 2021 under the National Policy for Rare Diseases. This recognition highlights the department’s commitment to genetic diagnosis, counseling, and management, according to Shagun Agarwal, additional professor at the department.

NIMS director Bheerappa Nagari emphasized the department’s role in academic training, offering a three-year DrNB super-specialty residency program and a two-year MSc Genetic Counseling course. The department also plays a crucial role in implementing the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) initiatives, providing financial aid to patients. To date, 434 patients have been enrolled for treatment support under NPRD, with 201 approvals granted and 121 currently undergoing therapy.

The department offers a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient consultations, prenatal diagnostic services, genetic fetal sonography, fetal autopsy evaluation, and enzyme replacement therapy. The substantial growth in patient numbers and the expanded services underscore the vital role NIMS plays in addressing the needs of individuals affected by rare genetic disorders in India.

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