RARE DISEASES DAY 2021
Rare diseases are diseases seen in a small number of people compared to the general population. The World Health Organization defines life-affecting chronic, severe diseases with a prevalence of 1.3 / 2000 in the general population as rare diseases. February 29 was accepted as "Rare Diseases Day" by the European Union and Canada in 2008. Later, on the last day of February in many countries, various activities started to raise awareness within the scope of "Rare Disease Day".
There are nearly 8000 rare diseases in the world and there are nearly 400 million affected individuals. Rare diseases with serious clinical, chronic and progressive features, and no treatment, affect the whole life of sick individuals and their families due to the problems of getting the correct diagnosis, supportive treatments and social life. About 72% of rare diseases that need to be followed up with a multidisciplinary approach are genetic diseases. Due to the lack of treatment for these diseases, the life-long duration of the diseases and the risk of recurrence in the family, these patients should be diagnosed and followed up correctly; and because of the risk of recurrence of the diseases in the family, it is very important to reach the Medical Genetic Clinics for genetic counseling for ways of protection from these diseases.
Ankara City Hospital Medical Genetics Polyclinic accepts patients every weekday, and Medical Genetics Laboratory serves genetic tests with very comprehensive panel contents.