Nearly 200 Sharjah workers tested positive for diseases including HIV-Aids last year

SHARJAH // Nearly 200 workers tested positive for infectious diseases such as HIV-Aids as part of mandatory medical checks at the Sharjah Municipality Public Health Clinic last year.

Dr Rasha Ahmed Al Qassimi, assistant director general of health and central laboratories at the municipality, said the 185 workers were tested for diseases including HIV-Aids, hepatitis B, tuberculosis and pneumonia as a requirement for issuing UAE visas. After testing positive they were repatriated to their home countries.

Dr Al Qassimi said that the number of workers visiting the clinic for the tests last year had risen to 191,000, up from 171,000 in 2012.

“All positive cases are handled as per the Ministry of Health rules and the centre forwards them to the Department of Preventive Medicine and Sharjah Medical Zone that proceeds with taking the steps of deporting the positive worker,” she said.

She said the authorities had expanded the clinic and laboratory to meet the demand for tests.

It now has separate clinics for men and women as well as other services such as typing, photocopying and Emirates ID registration to make the visa application process easier.

Dr Al Qassimi said staff from the clinic can also visit workplaces to take blood from staff for an additional fee. She added there were plans to introduce an online application system whereby people can log their details and then visit the centre to give blood samples.

A clinic is due to open in Khorfakhan to provide medical services to those living on the east coast.

yakakande@thenational.ae