By Maryam Umar
The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) has convened a one-day Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on the Issuance and Dissemination of Premarital Medical Certificates to End-users Across Kano State, as part of efforts to establish a coordinated, accessible and standardized framework for the implementation of premarital medical certification across the state.
The meeting, chaired by the Director General of KSACA, Dr. Usman Bashir, brought together key stakeholders from public and private institutions to deliberate on the proposed framework, clarify institutional responsibilities and develop practical mechanisms for the effective issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State.
The engagement aimed to clarify the purpose and scope of premarital medical certificates, promote consistency in procedures and information provided to prospective users, and strengthen coordination among health, legal, religious and community stakeholders.
It also provided a platform for addressing critical issues relating to confidentiality, informed consent, respectful communication and referral pathways, while identifying practical arrangements to facilitate effective dissemination and implementation at the grassroots level.
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Dr. Usman Bashir explained that the engagement was designed to foster a shared understanding among stakeholders through a comprehensive review of the proposed framework and clarification of the processes for issuing and disseminating premarital medical certificates.
According to him, the meeting would also enable participants to identify essential requirements by examining the legal, health, operational, cultural and community considerations associated with the implementation of the framework.
He further emphasized the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities, noting that effective implementation would require agreed roles and coordinated efforts among relevant ministries, departments, agencies, healthcare facilities and community structures.
The roundtable also underscored the need for a harmonized approach that promotes accessibility, consistency and appropriate information-sharing while safeguarding the privacy, dignity and rights of individuals seeking premarital medical certification.
Participants engaged in discussions on the proposed framework, institutional mandates and suitable implementation strategies to ensure that the issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates are effectively coordinated across the state.
Those in attendance included representatives of relevant health agencies, healthcare facilities, the judiciary, regulatory bodies and other public and private institutions, alongside religious and community leaders.
Notable stakeholders represented at the meeting included the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Shari’ah Commission, the Hisbah Board and the Council of Ulama, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter, among others, reflecting the importance of collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers and community leadership in achieving effective implementation.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of stakeholder engagement in developing a practical and coordinated approach to premarital medical certification in Kano State, with emphasis on clearly defined procedures, institutional collaboration, responsible communication and accessibility across all 44 Local Government Areas.
Through the initiative, KSACA seeks to strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders and support the establishment of a consistent framework for the issuance and dissemination of premarital medical certificates throughout Kano State.
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