Medical tests in home-countries mandatory for job-seekers
Qatar will make it mandatory for job seekers to undergo medical tests back at their home countries, before entering Qatar.
This regulation, when implemented will be applicable to job seekers from 11 countries – Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, and Eritrea.
At present, every foreigner entering Qatar will have to undergo mandatory medical tests at the Medical Commission, under the Ministry of Health within a month of their arrival in Qatar, although a medical check-up in their home countries is not mandatory.
The date of implementation is yet to be finalized, but will be announced shortly, said Col. Mohammed Al Ateeq, Assistant Director of General Directorate of Borders, and Passports and Expatriate Affairs at the Interior Ministry.
He continued that together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a mechanism is being chalked out for implementing this regulation. These mandatory tests will be carried out in authorized medical centers of the said countries. At present a total of 200 or more such centers are spread across these countries, with a few more to be opened shortly.
However, the tests are not a must for people arriving Qatar on visit visas. However, those seeking residence permits will have to undergo this formality.
The mandatory tests at the Medical Commission will continue even when the new system gets implemented. This will help re-assure that the newly-recruited workers are free from contagious diseases.
According to officials, this new system would help job-seekers and employers by preventing huge losses, which could otherwise be incurred when a worker is deported after failing the test at the Medical Commission.
Posted on 10/4/2009