By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Kano state implements mandatory pre-marital health screening for 1,800 couples
In a significant move towards public health awareness, the Kano State government has initiated pre-marital health screening for 1,800 prospective couples. This crucial step, endorsed by the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, marks an essential prerequisite for marriage in the region. The screening process, which recently commenced at the Hisbah Board Headquarters in Kano, is designed to ensure the fitness and well-being of intending couples, ultimately preventing the transmission of diseases within the community.
According to Aminu Bello Sani, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), the screening regimen encompasses eight comprehensive tests. These include assessments for Genotype, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B and C, as well as syphilis, among others. Dr. Yusuf emphasized that in cases where diseases are detected, couples will receive appropriate treatment, with more severe cases being referred to hospitals for specialized care.
Dr. Yusuf further revealed that the State government is on the verge of enacting a law mandating pre-marital screening as a prerequisite for wedlock. He lauded the proactive stance of Imams in the state, who insist on reviewing the premarital certificates before solemnizing marriages, underscoring the collective commitment to public health.
Dr. Usman Bashir, the Director General of KSACA, shared that the screening initiative will be organized on a cluster basis, spanning a duration of two weeks. It is slated to cover 30 to 50 sets of couples from each of the 44 local government areas within the state. He also expressed gratitude to Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his endorsement of this crucial health screening, which includes an assessment of HIV/AIDS status.
According to reports from the state’s Hisbah board, over 4,000 intending couples have already undergone screening for the upcoming mass wedding, underscoring the significance and positive impact of this public health initiative.