Chennai, April 13:
In a significant step towards advancing preventive and precision healthcare, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre has inaugurated a dedicated Genetic Clinic aimed at strengthening early diagnosis and patient-centred care. The facility was formally launched on March 27 at SRM Hospital’s ‘C’ Block, near the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Department.
The newly established clinic is designed to provide a comprehensive and structured approach to genetic evaluation and counselling. It offers a wide range of services, including phenotype-based clinical assessments, selection of appropriate genetic tests, and detailed interpretation of diagnostic results. Patients also receive both pre-test and post-test genetic counselling, ensuring informed decision-making at every stage of care.
A key feature of the clinic is its integrated care pathway within the hospital system. Following clinical evaluation and counselling, patient samples are processed through the advanced facilities of the DBT Platform for Advanced Life Sciences. This enables chromosome analysis, DNA testing, and gene sequencing to be carried out efficiently. The results are then returned to the clinic for expert interpretation and patient guidance, eliminating the need for external laboratory visits.
Genetic counselling services will be available from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Patients from various departments are referred to the clinic based on clinical indications, covering a wide spectrum of needs such as prenatal screening, childhood developmental disorders, and hereditary cancer risk assessment.
The clinic is supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising a lead scientist and trained genetic counsellors, ensuring both scientific precision and empathetic patient communication. It also operates in close coordination with the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, leveraging advanced diagnostic infrastructure and academic expertise.
Officials said the initiative aligns with the institution’s broader vision of enhancing community healthcare through early detection and personalised treatment strategies. By integrating evaluation, testing, and interpretation under one roof, the Genetic Clinic is expected to reduce waiting times, cut costs, and ease the logistical and emotional burden on patients.
The launch marks a major milestone in strengthening genetic diagnostic capabilities in Tamil Nadu, positioning SRMMCHRC as an emerging hub for accessible and evidence-based clinical genetics services.
