Pre-marital test now compulsory for intending couples in Kaduna Kaduna State

Pre-marital test now compulsory for intending couples in Kaduna
Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday passed into law a bill to provide for pre-marital medical examination in the state. The law cited as the Kaduna State Pre-marital (medical examination) enforcement law, 2017 stated that any person intending to marry shall submit his/herself for medical examination before the conduct of the marriage. The law provides that any person who contravenes any of provisions of the law commits an offence and shall be on conviction and be liable to a fine of not less than N100,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months or both. It also provides that any health facility, health worker or any other person who issues a false result or assists in the issuance of same commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N200,000 or imprisonment of not less than one year or both. According to the bill, the medical examination including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and genotype test among others shall be conducted twice including: three months before the marriage and two week to the marriage; adding that the medical examination shall be conducted simultaneously for both parties in an approved health facility while the result shall be explained to them by a medical doctor who must issue a certificate. "The certificate shall be signed by a qualified medical doctor stating his full names, qualifications and place of work while the medical result shall be kept confidential and only to be handed by the parties over to the person who is to conduct the marriage contract in the presence of witnesses. No person shall formalize any marriage contract for any person wishing to marry without medical certificate issued by a qualified medical doctor in respect of both parties," the bill reads in part. Speaking to journalists after its passage, the chairman House Committee on Information, Nuhu Goro Shadalafiya called on the Executive arm of government to embark on massive enlightenment and awareness creation on the law. He said the law if implemented will enhance and increase the life span of families as well as improve the economy of the state. "Health is wealth," he said succinctly.