By Salihu Ali, Kano
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state in Northwest Nigeria, has officially signed the Kano State Premarital Health Screening into Law.
The premarital health screening law mandates all intending couples to get tested medically before wedding.
The assented law has is that, no wedding will be permitted in Kano state without the presentation of a health screening certificate for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related illnesses.
The law according to the Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature in a press statement, was deemed necessary to reduce the likelihood of children being born with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis.
He said, “this initiative aligns with the Kano state governor’s commitment to enhancing and providing a conducive environment for the healthcare sector, aiming to make Kano free from or significantly reduce health challenges”.
He said, the Law also prohibits any discrimination or stigmatization against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia , hepatitis, and related conditions.
Signing the bill into law, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emphasized that, the purpose of implementing the law is to uphold the sanctity of marriages in Kano State and ensure the birth of healthy offspring, free from any preventable illnesses.
Upon approval by the state house of assembly and endorsement by the Kano state governor, the law will come into effect on May 13, 2024.
It is mandated by the law that any individual intending to marry must undergo testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, genotype, and any other relevant tests before marriage.
Furthermore, the law prohibits the formalization of any marriage contract for individuals planning to marry without presenting a test certificate from a government-approved health facility.
The law also specifies that, any individual found in violation of its provisions commits an offense and, upon conviction, may face a fine of up to five hundred thousand Naira, for a minimum of five years imprisonment or both.