Thalassaemia test results made mandatory for marriage applications
The change means courts that previously exercised discretion over the requirement will also have to enforce it.
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People applying to marry in the Maldives will be required to submit thalassaemia screening results with their marriage application under new rules that will take effect in October.
Submitting a thalassaemia card with a marriage application has previously been a requirement, but enforcement has varied between courts. Some island courts have allowed marriages to proceed without requiring the card.
The Magistrate Court Regulations, gazetted in July and due to take effect next month, require people applying for marriage to undergo thalassaemia screening and submit the results, or thalassaemia card, with their application.
The change means courts that previously exercised discretion over the requirement will also have to enforce it.
Under the regulations, if one of the two people seeking to marry is found not to carry the thalassaemia trait, the other person will not be required to submit a thalassaemia test result.
The Family Court said it has consistently required applicants to submit thalassaemia cards. However, some island courts had been given discretion over the requirement because obtaining a card could require travelling to Malé.
The Family Court said the new regulations will require all courts to follow the same procedure.
Separately, an amendment passed last year requires couples considered at risk of having children with thalassaemia to participate in a programme before marriage.
