Anambra assembly passes law banning marriage among sickle cell carriers

A bill for a law to repeal the Anambra State Sickle Cell Disease
Control and Eradication Law,2019, has been passed by the State
lawmakers.

The bill which was sponsored by the Member representing Anaocha
Constituency Two, Chief Charles Ezeani and fifteen others was
passed during yesterdays plenary in Awka.

The Sickle Cell Disease Control and Eradication Repeal Bill
seeks to eradicate sickle cell anemia in Anambra State and set
those living with it free from all kinds of oppression, abuse and
exploitation.

The Bill stipulates that no parent, guardian or group shall give
out a maiden in marriage without verification of a qualified Sickle
Cell Disease Prevention Certificate.

It also provides that no religious body or registry shall
perform Holy Matrimony without verification of a qualified Sickler,
as anybody who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be
guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to the fine of two
hundred thousand naira or imprisonment to a term of three years or
both.

The Bill further provides that no licensed or unlicensed
orthodox medical practitioner shall treat any sickle cell carrier
as defaulters shall be punished according to the provisions of this
bill.

The bill also put in place a Monitoring Committee to ensure
compliance.

The Speaker Mrs Rita Mmaduagwu read out the bill while members
of the House supported it through voice vote.

Speaking on the bill, the Sponsor, Chief Ezeani explained that
the bill which is life saving will put a final stop to the notion
that love is blind, which leads to couple whose genotype don’t
tally giving birth to children with sickle cell disease.

On her part, the National Coordinator of People living with
Sickle Cell Anemia, Aisha Edward, who regretted that à lot of
people living with sickle cell anemia had passed through hell in
the society, commended the Anambra State House of Assembly for
enacting a law that will protect the carriers from all forms of
discrimination in the State..

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