Violators risk five years in jail
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has signed the Kano State Premarital Health Screening Bill into law. With the new law, no wedding will be permitted in Kano without the presentation of a health screening certificate for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV and related health issues. Violation of the law attracts a minimum of five years sentence or a fine of up to N500,000 or both.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, the law was deemed necessary to reduce the likelihood of children being born with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anaemia, HIV and hepatitis.
This initiative aligns with the Kano governor’s commitment to the healthcare sector, to make the state free from or significantly reduce health challenges.The law necessitates mandatory testing for HIV, hepatitis, genotype and others before marriage.
It also prohibits any discrimination or stigmatisation against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anaemia, hepatitis, and related conditions. During the signing, Yusuf emphasised that the purpose of implementing the law was to uphold the sanctity of marriage in Kano and ensure the birth of healthy babies, free from any preventable illness.
Upon approval by the House of Assembly and endorsement by the governor, the law will come into effect on May 13, 2024. The law prohibits the formalisation of any marriage contract without a test certificate from a government-approved health facility.
Moreover, the law specifies that any individual found in violation of its provisions commits an offence and, upon conviction, may face a fine of up to N500,000 or a minimum of five years, or both.