Dr Godfred Owusu Ansah, a medical practitioner, has advised young people planning to marry to undergo medical checkups to help prevent avoidable health conditions in their future families.

He noted that many couples are often blinded by love, only to discover underlying health issues later, stressing that medical screening could help prevent disease transmission and promote healthy family life.

Dr Owusu Ansah advised a forum organised by Living Grace Ministry International at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality on the theme: “Importance of pre-marital medical screening.”

“The most common health condition that couples encounter in childbirth is Sickle Cell Disease,” he stated, urging couples to know their health status before marriage.

He added that conditions such as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, and blood group incompatibilities were also important health concerns couples must consider.

“If you want to have a happy marriage and life, then don’t ignore medical check-ups,” he advised.

He called on families, churches, and community leaders to encourage young people to undergo screening, emphasising that marriage requires planning beyond love.

“Marriage is beautiful, but it isn’t just about love,” he said, urging young people to prepare adequately.

Dr Owusu Ansah cautioned against attributing health conditions to superstition and encouraged couples to rely on modern medical science to ensure healthy family outcomes.

“Make a conscious effort to know your status before saying ‘I do’,” he stressed, adding that couples must do everything possible to avoid preventable diseases in children.

He expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of genetic and other health conditions in the country and urged proactive steps toward building healthy families.

“Love needs wisdom, and wisdom protects the family,” he stated.