The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed a bill that would make it mandatory if assented to by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai for would-be couples in the state to subject themselves to medical screening.
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Titled: The Pre-medical Examination Bill 2017, it will make it unlawful to get married without undergoing medical screening in the state.
The bill prescribes a fine of not less than N100.000.00 or imprisonment of not less than six months or both for violators.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. John Kwaturu, who presided over the assembly’s sitting during which the bill was passed on Thursday, said the law was necessary to protect couples from avoidable diseases.
Explaining the details of the bill, Kwaturu said three months to wedding, the would-be couples should have the first test in any government approved hospital while two weeks to it they should submit themselves to the second screening.
According to him, “No person shall formalize any marriage contract for any person wishing to marry without medical certificate issued by a qualified medical doctor in respect of both parties,” adding that violators shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N200.000.00 or imprisonment of not less than one year or both.
