Kano: Potential Couples To Undergo Health Screening Under New Law

By Ayodele Oni

Couples going into marriage in Kano state without certified health certificate will now be liable to five years imprisonment, an option of fine or both.

This follows the signing into law by Kabir Yusuf, the Kano State Premarital Health Screening Law, mandating health screening for all potential couples.

Under the new regulation, no wedding will be allowed in Kano without a health screening certificate for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related illness.

The governor’s spokesman, Bature Dawakin Tofa, explained that the law aims to “reduce the likelihood of children being born with underlying health issues such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis.”

“The law mandates testing for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, genotype, and other relevant examinations before marriage.

“It also prohibits discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, hepatitis, and other related conditions.”

Governor Yusuf mentioned at the signing ceremony that the aim of the is “to uphold the sanctity of marriages in Kano State and ensure the birth of healthy offspring, free from any preventable illnesses.”

The law was enacted by the state house of assembly and approved by the Kano state governor on May 6, 2024, and will become effective on May 13, 2024.

The law mandates that anyone planning to get married must undergo HIV, Hepatitis B and C, genotype, and any other relevant tests before the wedding.

Furthermore, it is illegal to formalize a marriage contract for couples who do not possess a test certificate from a government-approved health facility.

The law stipulates that anyone who violates it will be committing an offense and could face a fine of up to five hundred thousand Naira, imprisonment for at least five years, or both.