Some prospective couples who registered for the Kano mass wedding program have been tested positive for Hepatitis B, HIV, sickle cell, and pregnancy.
The Director General of the State Hisbah Board, Dr. Abba Sufi made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen on the ongoing screening exercise of the intending couples on Saturday.
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Dr. Sufi said some of the affected couples were found with one health issue or the other at the point of pre-marital test screening they were subjected to as part of the conditions for taking part in the state-sponsored wedding.
“The screening exercise is yielding the desired results as the affected persons are being treated or given the proper medication. If not for the testing, many would have been married and spread the diseases.
According to him, the affected spouses have since been replaced in the ongoing exercise and subjected to counseling and medications.
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The Director General said the State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to ensure that no person with any health challenge are allowed to partake in the program.
But based on the interim report from the Ministry of Health, about 40 males and females were said to have tested positive for Hepatitis B in addition to others with sickle cell, those who are already pregnant and those with HIV.
“Those affected will be counselled and placed on medication for the next few months. However, they have been rejected from the exercise, and their replacements have already been effected.
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Sufi said no fewer than 5,000 intending couples have so far been screened out of which only 1,800 couples will be considered under the first batch.
The mass wedding was first introduced in the state by the administration of former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
