HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
#1
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HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-...ests-1.1116597
#2
Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-...ests-1.1116597
#3
Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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 !!!!
#5
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#6
Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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?
#7
Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
#8
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
A large HIV awareness/education campaign is to be launched in KSA particularly aimed at young Saudi's.
#9
Hit 16's
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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?
#10
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
You can catch it from those pedicure fish...? <helpful>
#11
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
Continue to laugh, please. HIV is hilarious for all.
#12
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
#13
Hit 16's
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Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
#14
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Re: HIV Tests for Pregnant Women
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.
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.