HIV cases among Middle East-bound OFWs on the rise

A group of clinics accredited by Middle Eastern countries to conduct medical tests on Sunday said there is an “alarming” increase in the number of Filipino migrant workers bound for the region who tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

From January to June this year, the 17 members of the Accredited Medical Clinics Association-Philippines (GAMCA) said 19 Filipino workers bound for the Middle East have tested positive for HIV, which was higher compared to the 21 cases recorded for the whole of 2009.

These 19 OFWs have already undergone confirmatory tests with the Department of Health (DOH) after testing positive twice with GAMCA clinics, said GAMCA president Dr. Rodolfo Punzalan.

GAMCA is the only group authorized by the Health Ministries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman to conduct medical tests for Filipinos applying for work visas.

Previously, GAMCA clinics have been assailed by migrants groups for allegedly operating like a “mafia,” charging applicants exorbitant fees and deliberately declaring them unfit to work so that they will have to undergo further tests still with GAMCA clinics.

Punzalan told GMANews.TV they have been strictly following the protocols for HIV testing and that they are coordinating with the DOH for the proper implementation of the procedure.

“Once we discover that a worker tested positive, the procedure is repeated within 10-14 days. If it’s still reactive, we send the case to the DOH laboratory for confirmatory tests. Of course, everything is kept confidential,” he said.

Workers suffering from hepatitis, pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis, and sexually-transmitted diseases such as syphilis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), are barred from working in GCC member-states.

While describing the increase as “alarming,” Punzalan assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that there is no attempt to single them out, saying the group is required by GCC countries to submit reports on the HIV test results that they conduct.

“The figure can still go higher, but this is not isolated. I think the main reason (for the reported increase) is that anybody who wants to go abroad needs to undergo this examination,” he said.

Punzalan likewise admitted some workers are able to work in the Middle East without taking the required test under GAMCA clinics.

He however said these workers will still be tested for HIV by their host countries, and will immediately be repatriated to Philippines once they test positive for any infectious disease.
Medical clinics which approved their test results will be fined $1,000, and will be made to shoulder the repatriation and replacement costs, Punzalan said.

The DOH reported early this year that as of January 2009, there are 4,400 documented cases of HIV-AIDS infections in the country, the highest recorded since the government started gathering data about the deadly disease in 1984. – KBK, GMANews.TV