The Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia screening before marriage.

The passage followed deliberations in the Committee of the Whole House during the plenary session, presided over by the speaker, Ismail Falgore, on Monday in Kano.

After deliberations, the lawmakers approved the bill’s third reading, which was read by the deputy clerk, Nasiru Magaji.

Shortly after the bill was passed, the majority leader of the house, Lawan Hussein (NNPP-Dala), stated that “any person intending to marry shall first submit themselves for medical examinations.”

He said the bill was considered and passed after the third reading, following various legislative processes.

The leader further said that the bill was passed because the state had been battling with different health issues, including HIV, because people go into marriages without medical screening.

He said that if signed into law, the bill would save many lives and curb the spread of life-threatening diseases.

“The bill will safeguard the health of citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases like hepatitis, HIV and sickle cell anaemia,” he added.

(NAN)