By Asma’u Ahmad
The Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPWAN), Jigawa state chapter, has commended the state government over the enactment of a law compelling intending couples to know their status before marriage.
Chairman of the NEPWAN in Jigawa, Malam Abubakar Muhammad, told newsmen in Hadejia that the law would control the spread of the scourge in the state.
It was reported that the Jigawa State House of Assembly had recently enacted a law compelling intending couples to know their HIV status before marriage.
The law stipulates three years imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000 for any defaulter. It also prescribes appropriate punishment for any person charge with discrimination, stigmatisation or misgivings against HIV positive persons.
Malam Muhammad said that this would encourage people to go for HIV counselling and screening, and as well curb the transmission of the scourge.
He said that the increasing rate of transmission of HIV to many couples was due to lack of knowledge of their HIV status before marriage.
“The law will also control stigma and other forms of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, especially in the rural communities,” he said.
He, however, called for effective enforcement of the law to control the scourge, stigma, and promote care and support services to persons living with it.
Muhammad said that the association would collaborate with the state government to sensitise people on the importance of HIV screening to ensure its effective control.
