KSA envoy seeks stricter HIV/AIDS test for OFWs

The Embassy of the Saudi Arabia has directed medical clinics to impose stricter health screenings on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) suspected of having the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). “Medical clinics undertaking medical exams for OFWs bound for the Middle East should undertake stricter measures in examining OFWs suspected of having the HIV/AIDS disease," said Saudi Ambassador Mohammad Amen Wali, noting the reported rise in HIV/AIDS cases in the country. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS weakens the immune system and makes the infected individual more prone to a variety of infections. It can be transmitted through birth, transfusion, and sexual intercourse.

As of June 2009, the Department of Health National AIDS Registry has recorded a total of 3,951 HIV cases in the country – 815 of which have developed into full-blown AIDS. Of this number, 314 have already died. Thirty-two percent or 1,254 of those listed in the registry are said to have been OFWs, 264 of which became full-blown AIDS cases. With these figures, Wali said it is important that OFWs be properly screened to prevent the spread of the disease in Middle East countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia where more than one million Filipinos are currently residing and working. No problem Dr. Rodolfo Punzalan, president of the GCC-Accredited Medical Clinics Association (Gamca), said his organization has already taken the “necessary steps" to “ferret out" suspected HIV/AIDS cases among OFWs. “The continuous efforts of Gamca to safeguard the integrity of the medical examination of prospective overseas workers will remain a priority," said Punzalan. He said their member-clinics are all using state-of-the-art equipment and strict practices to implement better medical screening for OFWs bound for the Middle East. Gamca clinics are the only ones authorized by Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman to perform medical exams for OFWs bound for their countries. There are 17 Gamca clinics in Metro Manila. According to UNAIDS, the United Nation’s joint program on HIV/AIDS, about five million Asians are living with HIV – mostly in the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV