Kyrgyz lawmakers Nurjamal Torobekova and Marlen Mamataliev have proposed amendments to family legislation that would require mandatory medical examinations for people planning to marry.
Public health concerns cited
The MPs said infectious diseases — particularly viral hepatitis B, C and D, as well as HIV — remain a serious issue in the country. These viruses are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, they noted.
«If left untreated, they can lead to chronic illness, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and immune system disorders. Many citizens are unaware of their infection status, and transmission between spouses occurs after marriage,» the lawmakers said in a statement.
Proposed legal changes
Under the current Family Code, medical examinations before marriage are optional. The proposed amendments would introduce:
- Mandatory, free medical examinations for individuals entering into marriage.
- Required laboratory testing for hepatitis B, C and D, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
- Guarantees of confidentiality for all medical results.
Lawmakers also propose changes to the law on civil status records that would require couples to submit proof of medical testing when registering a marriage.
