mentalist

I guess that a Filipina with HIV would get immediately deported, if not worse. So what would happen if the woman is a Saudi? My guess is that the tests will be restricted to expats only.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-...ests-1.1116597

norsk

As far as I'm aware this is standard practice in western countries already...and has been for quite some years.

Lorna at Vicenza

Standard in Italy.

I had one with my first child.
3 years later Dr told me to go and have all the tests done for my 2nd pregnancy. I showed him my old test results and said that if I was immune to toxoplasmosis and measles etc. the first time, then surely I still was so needn't do the tests again.
When it came to the HIV one I said something like "I'm negative. I know what I've done and what I haven't in the last three years"

He replied - "yes YOU do Signora, but do you also know exactly what your husband has been up to in 3 years?" Talk about scaring people !!!!

mentalist

Yes but in KSA you can be immediately imprisoned and/or deported. Not quite the same in the Netherlands, for example.

Bahtatboy

Yes, but I think the difference lies in what the results will be used for.

britexpat76

Am I missing something here.... Do you not have to have an HIV test for your residency in Saudi like the rest of the ME?

Millsyisland

I'm sure they did an HIV test on my wife when she was pregnant (in UAE). Didn't ask her, just did it, so we assumed it was standard practice.

lostinthedust

Screening for HIV as well as Hep B/C, Rubella, Syphilis etc is standard practice in private hospitals in KSA for both Saudi nationals and expats. This article is referring to government hospitals who are to implement these standards for prenatal care.
A large HIV awareness/education campaign is to be launched in KSA particularly aimed at young Saudi's.

Bahtatboy

Why would they need it? Analagous to there being no crime of Drunk Driving in Saudi (because there's no alcohol there), Saudis (being Muslims) aren't allowed sex outside of marriage, so there's no risk. Or am I missing something?

LaLaLayla

You can catch it from those pedicure fish...? <helpful>

lostinthedust

I find that the government acknowledging and addressing that people DO in fact have extramarital-sex and partake in drug-use as well as catching HIV from blood transfusions or HCW injuries is a positive step.

Continue to laugh, please. HIV is hilarious for all.

LaLaLayla

It makes total sense to test pregnant women for HIV. If they are found to be +ve, then they can be given drugs to stop them passing it onto their unborn child. Also, they will be advised to formula feed, as the virus can be passed on through breast milk.

Bahtatboy

Its a sardonic laugh. If a non-Saudi is found to be positive she'll get no help from the Saudi authorities. And I agree that a governmental drive is good, but hypocrisy is still so rife that its difficult to take anything seriously.

lostinthedust

The testing at government hospitals will primarily be on Saudi nationals as expats attend private hospitals.
At the end of the day all the "guest workers" including ourselves are here to work, not burden the Saudi health care system. It's clear in the work contracts that you must pass your health check to renew iqama. Is this clearly conveyed to the average TCN worker, I suspect not. Is the average worker educated about HIV/AIDS, again I suspect not.
Is it hypocritical of "The Kingdom of Humanity"- yes, I think so. The TCN workers (largest group of HIV + in KSA) also need education and support.
I believe the UAE was revieweing their policy to deport HIV+ but do not know the outcome. Australia and Canada require HIV testing for immigration and can and do reject an applicant who is positive. The UK was also looking at this but I believe it was decided not to implement it.