Lawmakers in Kyrgyzstan have proposed a new bill that could make health screenings mandatory for couples before they tie the knot - a move aimed at curbing the spread of infectious diseases and strengthening family health.

The draft legislation, now open for public discussion in parliament, would require future spouses to present a medical certificate when registering their marriage, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The screenings would be free and include testing for viral hepatitis B, C, and D, HIV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

Under the proposal, all results would remain strictly confidential medical information. However, partners would be able to share their results with each other only by mutual consent, ensuring privacy while promoting transparency in relationships.

The bill also introduces legal safeguards: if one partner hides a diagnosis such as HIV, hepatitis, or another sexually transmitted disease, the other spouse would have the right to seek annulment of the marriage through the courts.

Supporters of the initiative say the measures are designed to help citizens make informed decisions before marriage, improve public health awareness, and reduce infection risks across the country. Lawmakers also noted that the proposal places a strong focus on protecting women’s health and encouraging more responsible family relations.