Kano Assembly moves to make pre-marital HIV, hepatitis screenings compulsory

The Kano State House of Assembly yesterday passed for second reading a bill seeking to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis as well as sickle cell screening before marriage.

Musa Ali Kachako (Takai constituency), who sponsored the bill, said in his lead debate that the state had been battling with different health issues including HIV because people go into marriages without medical screening.

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

Aminu Saad, a member representing the Ungogo constituency, said Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states have passed similar bills to address their healthcare challenges.

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He said Kano with the highest population in the country must pass the bill to safeguard the health of its citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases like hepatitis.

The speaker, Ismail Falgore, referred the bill after scaling the second reading, to the health committee for further legislative action and to report back to the house within 4 weeks.