Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has assented to the Kano State Premarital Health Screening Law, which mandates health screening for all prospective couples in the state.
A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, said that the law stipulates that no marriage would be permitted in Kano without presentation of a health screening certificate for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related illnesses.
According to Mr Dawakin-Tofa, the law is necessary to reduce the likelihood of children being born with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
The initiative, he added, 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.
Mr Dawakin-Tofa said the law necessitates mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, genotype, and other relevant examinations before marriage.
“It also prohibits any discrimination or stigmatization against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, hepatitis, and related conditions.
“During the signing ceremony, 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 was signed on the 6th of May 2024 and will come into effect on May 13, 2024,” the statement read in parts.
In the statement, Mr Dawakin-Tofa explained that the law mandated that, “any individual intending to marry must undergo testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, genotype, and any other relevant tests before marriage”.
Furthermore, he said, the law prohibits the formalization of any marriage contract without presenting a test certificate from a government-approved health facility.
“Moreover, the law 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, or both,” the statement concluded.
