Cost-Effective Premarital Screening for Sickle Cell Anemia in Saudi Arabia

Strategic Insights -

A study published in the Journal of Healthcare has shown that the implementation of compulsory premarital screening for sickle cell anemia in Saudi Arabia has resulted in significant cost savings. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Umm Al-Qura University, aimed to evaluate the costs associated with the government's mandatory premarital screening program for sickle cell anemia and compare these expenses with those incurred due to high-risk marriages.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's mandatory premarital screening program for sickle cell anemia has resulted in a 73% reduction in healthcare costs associated with the disease.
  • The estimated annual management costs for children with the probability of having sickle cell disease range from $536,700 to $8,137,800, depending on the genetic combination of the parents.
  • The premarital screening program has identified 300,000 cases of sickle cell disease, with an estimated cost of $29,741,550 for the screening arm and $40,488,000 for the no-screening arm.
  • The study found that the most cost-effective approach is the implementation of the premarital screening program, which would result in a projected cost saving of $10,746,450 annually.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Umm Al-Qura University, including Amal F. Alotaibi, Hana A. Althobaiti, Rami A. Almalki, Ghufran O. Omran, Mona Y. Alsheikh, and Wejdan S. Alqurashi.

Statistics:

  • Estimated annual management costs for children with sickle cell disease:

+ SS/SS gene combination: $8,137,800

+ SS/AS gene combination: $2,071,950

+ AS/AS gene combination: $536,700

  • Annual management costs for children with the probability of having sickle cell disease in the screening arm: $10,746,450
  • Annual management costs for children with the probability of having sickle cell disease in the no-screening arm: $40,488,000
  • Projected cost saving of implementing the premarital screening program: $29,741,550

Sources:

  • The Economic Impact of Premarital Screening (Pms) of Sickle Cell Anemia On the Saudi Health System: a Cost Analysis Study. Healthcare, 2025;13(17):2243
  • Researchers' Work from Umm Al-Qura University Focuses on Gene Therapy [The Economic Impact of Premarital Screening (Pms) of Sickle Cell Anemia On the Saudi Health System: a Cost Analysis Study]. Pediatrics Week. October 18, 2025; p 242.