Yobe Assembly to enact law on compulsory sickle cell test before marriage

The Yobe House of Assembly has commenced the process of enacting a law that will make it mandatory for couples to undergo sickle cell disease and hepatitis tests before marriage.

The House gave accelerated consideration to the private member bill sponsored by five lawmakers on wednesday in Damaturu.

The bill was seeking to repeal and re-enact new laws on anti-stigmatisation and compulsory premarital tests for sickle cell disease and hepatitis in the state.

Leading the debate on the bill, Alhaji Kachalla Maina, representing Machina constituency, said the proposed law would prevent the spread of sickle cell disease and hepatitis.

Maina added that it would promote public awareness, and improve access to treatment for the diseases.

He also said the bill would require for compulsory premarital hemoglobin genotype and viral hepatitis tests before any marriage is conducted in the state.

Supporting the bill, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf, the Majority Leader of the House and other lawmakers described sickle cell as a child killer disease with high-cost medication and burdensome for less privileged members of society.

Presiding over the sitting, Mr Chiroma Mashio, the Speaker of the House set up an ad-hoc committee to work on the bill.

The committee, headed by Alhaji Kachalla Maina, the Chairman House committee on health, was given four weeks to complete its work and report back for further legislative action.