Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has officially signed the Kano State Premarital Health Screening Bill into law, marking a significant step towards ensuring the health and well-being of prospective couples in the state.
The new law mandates premarital health screening for all couples planning to wed in Kano, aiming to prevent the birth of children with preventable illnesses.
During the signing ceremony in Kano, Governor Yusuf emphasized the importance of faithfully implementing the law to uphold the sanctity of marriages and promote the birth of healthy offspring.
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Under the provisions of the law, couples must present a health screening certificate for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other relevant conditions before their wedding can be permitted in Kano State.
The primary objective of the law is to reduce the incidence of children being born with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis.
Governor Yusuf’s administration sees this initiative as integral to enhancing the healthcare sector in Kano and creating an environment where health challenges are minimized or eradicated.
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The law mandates mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, genotype, and other relevant examinations before marriage.
It also prohibits discrimination or stigmatization against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, hepatitis, and related conditions.
Furthermore, any individual intending to marry must undergo testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, genotype, and other relevant tests before their marriage can be formalized.
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Failure to comply with the law’s provisions constitutes an offense punishable by a fine of up to N500,000 or a minimum of five years imprisonment, or both.
This legislation reflects the government’s commitment to promoting public health and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
By implementing premarital health screening, Kano State aims to safeguard the health of future generations and create a society where preventable illnesses are minimized