Kano signs law to jail couples without medical tests before marriage

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has assented to the Kano State Premarital Health Screening Act, a law mandating couples to undergo compulsory medical tests.

With the new law in place, the conjugal tie will only be permitted upon a clean bill of health for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related illnesses.

The law is also deemed necessary to reduce the likelihood of childbirth with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis.

The spokesperson of Kano State Government House, Sanusi Bature, said the initiative was in line with Governor Yusuf’s commitment to enhancing and providing a conducive environment for the healthy population of the state.

Joint by top government functionaries, Yusuf emphasized the imperative of implementing the law to uphold the sanctity of marriages in Kano State and ensure healthy offspring, free from any preventable illnesses.

“The law will now mandate 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,” Bature said.

“The law also prohibits the formalization of any marriage contract for individuals planning to marry 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.”

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.