The Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis as well as sickle cell screening before marriage for second reading.

In his lead debate, Musa Ali Kachako (Takai constituency), who sponsored the bill, said the state had been battling different health issues including HIV because people marry without medical screening.

He said if passed into law, the bill would save many lives and end the spread of life-threatening diseases.

Aminu Saad from Ungogo constituency, said Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states have passed similar bills to tackle their healthcare challenges.

He said Kano with the highest population in Nigeria must pass the bill to protect the health of its citizens by institutionalizing pre-marital testing to mitigate the spread of diseases like hepatitis.

After scaling the second reading, the speaker, Ismail Falgore, referred the bill to the health committee for further legislative action and to report back to the house in not later 4 weeks.