In a first of its kind in Africa, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health has adopted the innovative R-WGS technology.
The Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health has announced the commencement of rapid diagnostic sequencing of the entire genome (R-WGS) at its precision medicine center in Rabat, becoming the first institution on the African continent to utilize this advanced technology for the benefit of patients.
This achievement allows for the analysis and interpretation of the human genome in less than ten days, whereas the process previously took several months and required sending samples to international centers, which burdened patients with high costs and delayed treatment in critical cases.
The local implementation of this technology has provided unprecedented capability to execute a complete diagnostic chain, from DNA extraction to the preparation of the final medical report, utilizing highly qualified Moroccan staff and state-of-the-art equipment that meets international standards.
The precision medicine center has integrated artificial intelligence tools into the genetic data analysis process, enhancing diagnostic efficiency and providing advanced medical interpretations tailored to each patient’s clinical situation, backed by national genetics specialists.
The use of R-WGS technology has significantly improved maternal and child health, enabling urgent identification of severe genetic diseases in newborns within intensive care units, thus allowing for effective therapeutic interventions and positively impacting the quality of care.
The initial capacity of the center is several hundred genomic analyses annually, with a gradual ambition to increase this number to meet national needs and strengthen regional and international cooperation, positioning the center as a reference player in this field across Africa.
The foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equitable access for Moroccan patients to this advanced genetic testing, in line with enhancing the health sovereignty of the Kingdom, and plans to gradually integrate it into standard treatment pathways in Moroccan hospitals, in coordination with health authorities and insurance institutions.
The impact of this initiative extends across a wide range of medical specialties related to genomics, such as pediatrics, neurology, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, immunology, and reproductive health, among others. The foundation aims to establish Morocco as a key player in genomic medicine on the African continent.
