The Sokoto state house of assembly has passed a bill mandating compulsory pre-marital medical screening for intending couples.
NAN reports that the proposed law requires intending couples to undergo tests for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sickle cell, genotype, and other related health conditions before marriage.
The house passed the bill after Kabiru Dauda (APC-Gada east), chairman of the committee on health, presented the panel’s report during the plenary on Wednesday.
The bill, introduced by Dauda, passed the second reading on April 16 and was referred to the committee for further legislative procedures.
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Dauda told the house that the legislation aims to protect public health by ensuring that couples are aware of potential health issues before marriage.
He warned that anyone who incites or facilitates a breach of the law would face “severe” penalties, including imprisonment for no less than 12 months or a fine of at least N500,000 or both.
“Furthermore, health facilities or workers who knowingly issue or assist in issuing false test results will be liable to additional fines or imprisonment,” NAN quoted him as saying.
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“In particular, a violating health facility may be fined a minimum of N3 million, while a health worker could face imprisonment for not less than three years or a fine of at least N1 million, or both, along with further disciplinary action by the appropriate regulatory body.”
Several members of the house supported the bill, highlighting its significance for public well-being and the positive economic impact it could have on the state’s healthcare development.
Following a voice vote, Tukur Bala, the speaker of the assembly, announced that the bill had been unanimously adopted for a third reading and passed.
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