Nationwide, the same estimate says over one in three marriages (38 percent) occur despite evidence of health risks.
Since 2004, prospective couples require pre-marital screening for recessive-gene disorders as well as infections, such as HIV and hepatitis. Approximately 24,000 such tests take place in the Eastern Province, one of the Kingdom’s most populated provinces. The test results take about 10 days.
“What is the point of these tests? If people are still allowed to do what they want to,” said Saba Al-Harithy, 25. “Why make it mandatory for every couple who disregard the medical aspect of their relationship.”
While Saudi law requires these health screenings the result of these screenings are ignored by the Civil Affairs Department, which is responsible for registering marriages and issuing family ID cards. “We cannot control people and their choices,” said Health Ministry official Dr. Noha Doshaha. “They will do what they want.”
Premarital screenings became the answer to hereditary diseases such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia passing down to generations, especially through consanguineous marriages.
