Anambra State
house of assembly are ready passes a bill to make genotype test compulsory
before marriage to reduce the number of sickle cell patients in the state.
The new law passed, Tuesday
was sponsored by Charles Ezeani member representing Anaocha II constituency and
15 others.
It states that parents and
guardians should not give out their children in marriage until a genotype test
is carried out.
According to the law, no
religious body or marriage registry “shall perform solemnisation of Holy
Matrimony”, without presentation of a sickle cell disease prevention
certificate from the intending couple.
The law also seeks to
reduce abuse stigmatisation and exploitation victims of sickle cell anaemia go
through in the state.
Failure to carry out this
test is punishable as parents, guardians, as well as priests, pastors and
marriage registries that perform the marriage without genotype test, risk going
to jail.
“Anybody who contravenes
the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on
conviction to a fine of N200,000 or imprisonment to a term of three years or
both,” the law states.
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