UAE plans to ban job-seekers infected with tuberculosis

Dubai: The UAE plans to stop infectious diseases spreading in the county and will try to bar job-seekers from Asian countries infected with pulmonary tuberculosis, a health ministry official said on Tuesday.

Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, assistant under-secretary for health policies in the Health Ministry, said in a statement that in a particular year, 21 per cent of Asians tested were found to be suffering from tuberculosis.

His statement came after a federal announcement on Sunday that expatriate workers coming to work in the emirates will have to first get their medical tests done in their home countries.

Officials said this will bar many job-seekers who come to the UAE with infections who have to be first treated at huge costs and then deported.