Genetic Counsellors- They Exist?

As per our intensive literature review on Google, the Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day falls on the second Thursday in the month of November (which happens to be the 13th). 

Being a health professional who has been liaising with our fellow Geneticists in managing retinoblastoma and various craniosynostoses, we are indeed aware of their existence – and this marks the end of our event. Objectives well achieved. Thank you.

Juuuuuuust kidding.

GCAD this year was held at the pristine PNB Perdana Hotel in KL on 15^th of November (yes, not the second Thursday of the month but that’s not for us to decide. We got invited and we attended). With hot topics being discussed from prenatal genetic tests to the ethical implications, all of us were awe especially when the legendary Prof Thong Meow Keong (p/s: if you don’t know him, he’s the Father of Clinical Genetics at the University Hospital).

The Geneticists over at HKL and Hospital Pulau Pinang had kindly shared over their Holy Grail – a practical guide to the management of genetic disorders (https://rarediseasemalaysia.com/ebook/diagnosis-and-management-of-genetic-disorders-in-malaysia-a-practical-guide/) and boy aren’t we glad there’s a comprehensive reference. And thus, we are now expected to describe facial features professionally and not just throwing out a blanket statement of “the patient looks syndromic” (hint hint Part 2 peeps).

“But what about the goodies?”

We are unfortunately a shy bunch and did not make adequate eye contacts with the sponsors but hey they were mostly on colorectal/breast cancer screenings and none on IRDs so I’m sorry we were quiet. 

In hindsight, we could’ve at least snatched ourselves a handful of pens.

Food-wise – free food is free food. So they’re good.

Today, we were served white Jasmine rice cooked to perfection, fluffed with a tiny bit of salt, with sides of Ayam Tomato, Kari Daging, and steamed fibre boosters. For desserts, we had a selection of kuihs

Deepam, getting the vegetarian dishes, had al dente pasta for brekkie, and another round of pasta for lunch but less dente – non dente if you will. 

That is all from me. Till then!

Written by,

Haris Ahmad