The ad-hoc committee of Yobe State House of Assembly on a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact anti-stigmatization law to provide compulsory premarital tests of hemoglobin genotype and viral hepatitis in the state has presented its report.
After extensive deliberations on the recommendations of the committee by members, the House adopted the report.
Hon. Kachalla Maina, chairman of the ad-hoc committee, said statistics have shown that Nigeria has forty million people living with sickle cell disease, while Yobe State has the highest number of victims, adding that the situation needs legislative action.
The lawmaker stressed the need for the executive arm of government to direct the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to provide the teaching of sickle cell disease in primary and post-primary schools and reflect genotype results on primary school certificates.
Hon. Maina explained that when the bill is passed into law, it will prevent the spread of sickle cell disease and hepatitis among intending couples.
“The bill has provided two years’ imprisonment or a two hundred thousand Naira fine to any Imam or pastor who conducts marriage without a hemoglobin genotype test result from an approved healthcare facility.
“The bill has also provided that any health practitioner who connives with an intending couple or guardians to present a fake result should be jailed for three years or pay a five hundred thousand Naira fine,” the chairman added.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, who presided over the session, commended the committee for presenting a comprehensive report that would assist in preventing the spread of sickle cell disease and viral hepatitis in the state.
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