By Asma’u Ahmad
Director of Public Health at the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shamsu Yahaya, has urged youths in the state to undergo Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Genotype tests to ascertain their health status.
The director gave the advice at a one-day sensitisation on prevention of HIV and Sickle Cell Disease in Katsina on Wednesday.
“It is high time youths went for the HIV test to ascertain their health status before marriage and prevent falling victim of killer diseases. The test is to prevent youths from contracting the dreaded HIV or giving birth to children with sickle cell anemia.
“Youths, both male and female, should feel free to undertake test on HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell,” he said
Dr Yahaya also emphasised the need for the state government to enact a law that would make it for intending couples to undergo compulsory test for marriage.
This he said became necessary to reduce contracting HIV or bearing children with sickle cell anemia in the state.
He urged clerics to stress in their preaching to their followers, especially the youth, the need for them to undergo HIV and sickle cell tests before marriage.
Earlier, the state Chairman of Amalgamated youth forum, Malam Ahmed Mohammed, said the sensitisation was organised to educate youths and families on how to avoid contracting HIV and sickle cell disease.
