State Assembly Approves Bill Mandating Pre-Marital Health Screening for Intending Couples

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has passed a bill requiring all intending couples to undergo mandatory pre-marital medical screening. The legislation mandates tests for conditions such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sickle cell anemia, genotype compatibility, and other related health issues before couples can legally marry.

The bill, sponsored by Kabiru Dauda (APC-Gada East), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Health, was introduced on April 16 and moved through its legislative stages before being approved during plenary on Wednesday. Dauda emphasized that the law is designed to protect public health by ensuring couples are informed about potential medical risks before entering marriage.

Under the new law, any individual found encouraging or enabling a violation of the screening requirement could face penalties including a minimum of 12 months in prison, a fine of at least N500,000, or both. Health facilities or medical personnel involved in issuing false test results also face severe consequences. Facilities may be fined not less than N3 million, while health workers could receive a minimum three-year prison sentence, a fine of at least N1 million, or both, in addition to disciplinary measures by relevant professional bodies.

The bill received strong support from Assembly members, who praised its potential to improve public health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs in the state. Following a unanimous voice vote, Speaker Tukur Bala declared the bill passed and adopted for a third reading.