14 September 2011 01:14 pm
As reported by the Khaleej Times in May this year, the UAE announced today (Wednesday) that it will implement a medical fitness system currently being followed by GCC countries from October 1. Both countries are part of the first phase of the project. Expats from eight other countries from South-East Asia and Africa will also have to undergo double medical fitness tests at a later stage.
The first set of tests will be done for infectious diseases such as TB, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDs, Syphilis at pre-approved health centres in the countries of origin. The second will be done upon arrival to the UAE. Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Under-secretary for Health Policies at the Ministry of Health said, “The decision was taken after a noticeable increase in the number of infectious diseases among certain categories of workers from endemic countries.” Officials also said that it was important to test expats in their countries and re-do the tests in the UAE so as to minimise expenses incurred on workers who arrived here with diseases. (Source: Khaleej Times online)