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Pre-marriage certificates from govt hosp. only

DUBAI — By the end of January next year eligible bachelors who wish to get married will have to produce pre-marriage medical fitness certificates issued by government hospitals and health centres affiliated to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Shariah courts countrywide. Certificates issued by private clinics will not be accepted, said Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami in an exclusive statement to Khaleej Times.

This move will help prevent manipulation in health test reports issued by some private clinics to prospective grooms, he pointed out.

According to a personal status law enforced two years ago, the prospective brides and grooms had to produce a medical fitness certificate to prove that they were free of infectious diseases.

However, till now there is no special committee to check the authenticity of the medical certificates submitted by eligible bachelors.

Dr Abdullah Al Ansari, consultant at Al Mawadah Family Centre affiliated to Ajman-based Umm Al Mu’menin Society, who is also a marriage official (Ma’zoun), said that the personal status law enforced on November 19, 2005 had made it mandatory for UAE nationals and expatriate residents equally to undergo a health test before marriage.

“The law did not specify which entity, whether public or private hospital, were to carry out the medical examination. However, it is better to undergo health check at a government hospital to avoid any manipulation or forgery,” said Dr Al Ansari.

Talking frankly about ailments like diabetes and cardiac problems before marriage is a must between eligible singles in order to prevent any harm to their offsprings after marriage, Dr Al Ansari said.

Dr Abdulnassir Abu Al Basal, Dean of Islamic Studies and Shariah College in Sharjah University, added that concealing information about an ailment by either partner is unlawful. “Any person who is affected by the partner’s sickness can demand dissolution of marriage,” he said.

Dr Abu Al Basal, however, cautioned against misleading health reports issued by the some private health centres for commercial gains, making it clear that the health certificates issued by the government hospitals or clinics were considered more reliable.

Ali Khalfan Al Kindi, a marriage official in Fujairah, suggested that the authorities concerned should prepare a list of the authorised health centres where pre-marriage health tests could be conducted.