The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS has convened a one-day stakeholder roundtable meeting to establish a coordinated, standardised framework for issuing and disseminating premarital medical certificates across the state.

In a statement by Farouk Isa, KSACA’s spokesperson, on Friday. The statement said the meeting, chaired by KSACA director-general Usman Bashir, brought together stakeholders from public and private institutions to discuss the proposed framework and clarify institutional responsibilities.

It said the engagement also aimed to develop practical mechanisms for issuing and disseminating uniform premarital medical certificates across Kano’s 44 council areas.

According to the statement, the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the purpose and scope of the certificates, promote consistency in procedures and information, and strengthen coordination among health, legal, religious and community stakeholders.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Bashir said the engagement was designed to foster a shared understanding of the proposed framework and clarify the processes for issuing and disseminating the certificates. 

He said the meeting would also enable participants to identify essential requirements by examining the legal, health, operational, cultural and community considerations associated with implementing the framework.

Mr Bashir restated the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities, noting that effective implementation would require agreed roles and coordinated efforts among relevant ministries, departments, agencies, healthcare facilities and community structures.

The roundtable also addressed confidentiality, informed consent, respectful communication, and referral pathways, while exploring practical arrangements for effective dissemination and implementation at the grassroots level.

Participants discussed the proposed framework, institutional mandates and suitable implementation strategies to ensure coordinated issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates across the state.

Those in attendance included representatives of health agencies, healthcare facilities, the judiciary, regulatory bodies and other public and private institutions, as well as religious and community leaders.

Other stakeholders included civil society organisations, the Shari’ah Commission, the Hisbah Board, the Council of Ulama and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano chapter.

(NAN)