–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Sunny A. DAVID:

The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano signs the Anambra State Sickle Cell Law.

This was made known to the public by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on General Hospital, Mrs. Nwamaka Arinze-Okoh, who read the law during her address.

Mrs. Arinze-Okoh, who doubles as the Technical Adviser to the Honourable Commissioner for Health on Sickle Cell Disease, noted that the law also has made provisions for the creation of skill acquisition centres for people living with Sickle Cell Disease.

The law read in part, “As from the commencement of the law, persons with unqualified Sickle Cell Status Certificate, SCS, shall NOT be married as husband and wife.

“No parent, guardian, person or group of persons shall give out a maiden in marriage without verification of a qualified SCS certificate of the couple.

“No religious body or registry shall wed any person(s) without verification of a qualified SCS certificate of the couple.

“Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to the fine of N200,000 or imprisonment to a term of three (3) years or both.

“The Sickle Cell Status Certificate shall be issued by a qualified and licensed m6edical Laboratory Scientist.”