Kano Assembly Is Considering a Bill to Mandate Pre-Marriage Medical Screening
Kano State House of Assembly is considering a bill seeking to compel intending couples in the state to undergo medical screening for HIV, Hepatitis, and Sickle Cell before marriage.
A lawmaker, Musa Kachako, who sponsored the bill said the state is facing various health challenges, particularly HIV, due to the absence of screening before marriage.
Another member, Aminu Saad, said neighboring states such as Jigawa, Katsina, and Kaduna, had introduced a medical screening of intending couples for HIV, Sickle Cell, and Hepatitis.
The bill after intense debate during the Tuesday plenary, passed the second reading.
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He said the bill if passed into law, would save many lives and curb the spread of life-threatening diseases.
Aminu Saad, a member representing the Ungogo constituency, said Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states have passed similar bills to address their healthcare challenges.
He said Kano with the highest population in the country must pass the bill to safeguard the health of its citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases like hepatitis.
The speaker, Ismail Falgore, referred the bill after scaling the second reading, to the health committee for further legislative action and to report back to the house within 4 weeks.
