By DPA
Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) : Saudi men and women who wish to get married will have to undergo compulsory premarital HIV and hepatitis tests beforehand, the Saudi daily Arab News reported Thursday, quoting Deputy Minister for Preventive Medicine Dr. Khaled Al-Zahrani.
“Premarital tests currently performed include genetic blood disorders and diseases,” Al-Zahrani told the paper, adding that the 2003 royal decree imposing premarital mentioned that, “other contagious diseases would be included in the future.”
In case one partner tests HIV positive, and the couple insists on getting married, then “the case would be examined in conjunction with the Justice Ministry.”
The announcement coincides with the launch of the first clinic for voluntary AIDS tests on Tuesday in the Kingdom at the King Saud Hospital.