Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law a new premarital health screening bill aimed at safeguarding health and upholding the sanctity of marriage in the state.
Effective May 13, 2024, the law mandates all prospective couples to undergo health screening tests for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related illnesses before marriage.
During the signing ceremony, Governor Yusuf emphasised the significance of the law in ensuring that every child born in Kano receives the best possible start in life. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding the health of children and strengthening the foundation of marriage in the state.
According to Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesman, the law aims to prioritise the health of future generations and promote marriages built on a strong foundation of good health.
Additionally, the law prohibits discrimination or stigmatisation against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anaemia, hepatitis, and related conditions.
Those who violate the provisions of the law may face penalties, including fines of up to N500,000 and a minimum of five years imprisonment, or both.
