Couples advised on compatibility, medical status before marriage
NAN-ELS-1
Couples
By Justina David Auta
Abuja, April 6, 2017 (NAN) Prospective couples have been advised to seek medical check-up to ascertain their compatibility before tying the knot to avoid problems in their marriages.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, some religious leaders and marriage counsellors on Thursday stressed the need for couples to check their blood group, genotype, sperm count, as well as other health related issues.
Mrs Philomena Abraham, a Christian clergy said seeking medical answers to some health related issues was necessary, as it would forestall any challenges in the future between couples.
“ Gone are the days people just decide on getting married before making findings about the health status of their partner.’’
Abraham suggested that the medical examination or tests should be enforced as prerequisite for marriage contracted between couples to avoid challenges in the future.
Similarly, Malam Abdulakdir Ishaku, an Islamic clergy said seeking medical advice would ensure that the couples are suitable and would be able to dictate any health challenges in them or their future children.
“ It is good to seek medical advice before contracting any marriage because we have heard instances, where couples get divorce because of health challenges or giving birth to children with health problems.’’
Ishaku, therefore stressed the need for parents and guardians to inculcate good morals and discipline in their children to forestall them indulging in vices that would impact negatively on them in future.
Also, Mrs Theresa Sunday, a marriage counsellor attributed the rates of divorce and separation among couples to pretence or lies about health status and refusal to carry out fertility test before marriage.
“ Some couples lie about their health status or pretend everything is fine with them, putting the other person at risk, while others refuse to carry out some necessary test such as blood group, genotype, fertility and other STDs.
“When couples carry out these tests, which are necessary, it will go a long way to prevent any future problem.’’
She also decried the society’s emphasis on marriage, which she alleged had pushed a lot of couples to make wrong decisions about their partner.
“The society put so much pressure on people, especially women to get married, even when they are not ready, so as a result of that some people rush into it without making informed decisions especially on health.
“It becomes difficult or late for such couples to renege on their decisions to get married.’’
Sunday, urged that undue pressure should not be put on people to get married, rather efforts should be geared towards ridding the society of negative ills and ensure people make the right choices in marriage.
On her own part, Miss Jemimah Dauda with an AS genotype, said she had to call off her marriage engagement because her partner’s genotype was AS too.
“Even though, it was so difficult and painful for both of us to reach that decision, we felt it was better to call the relationship off rather than endanger the lives of our future children with sickle cell.
“My younger sister suffered from sickle cell before she died so I can relate to it because I know what my parents went through.’’
Similarly, Mr Joe Jacob, regretted that his family never took any precautionary measure to ascertain the health status of his younger sister fiancé before they got married.
“We didn’t make inquiries about his health status before giving her out in marriage in the 90’s, and she contracted HIV.
“We found out when she gave birth and it subsequently led to her death.’’
“ Engaged couples should not only check blood group or genotype, but also check for some Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) that are very common before getting married.’’
On his own part, Dr Idi Martins, a general medical practitioner emphasised the need for medical screening before marriage, particularly the ones relating to fertility, STDs, blood group and genotype.
“Couples need to seek medical intervention before marriage to ascertain their status and suitability so that they will find solution to any problem that might be detected medically.’’
Idi, furthered assured that most medical or health conditions can be treated and alternative solutions found.
Martins urged that such would-be couples seek medical assistance rather than other means that might be harmful. (NAN)
JAD/EAL
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi