Qatar will soon make it mandatory for job seekers from several Asian, African and Middle East countries to undergo medical check-up in their home countries before their arrival here.
The rule, once implemented, will apply to job seekers from 11 countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Eritrea.
Currently, every foreigner coming to Qatar must undergo mandatory medical tests at the Medical Commission functioning under the Ministry of Health within one month of their arrival. However, medical tests in the countries of origin were not compulsory.
“We have not finalised the dates for implementing the mandatory tests, which will be announced very soon. We are in the process of developing a mechanism for implementing the new system, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, e-government and the recruiting agencies,” Colonel Mohammed Al Ateeq, assistant director of the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate affairs at the Ministry of Interior said in a press conference yesterday. Dr Ahmed Kamal Naji, director of the Medical Commission and assistant minister for health affairs at the Ministry of Health and Hamad Al Sulaiti from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.
The mandatory tests will be conducted in authorised medical centres in the said countries. Currently there are more than 200 medical centres spread over these countries and more centres will be opened in the coming years, said the officials.
The tests will not be made mandatory for people coming to Qatar on a visit visa. Only those seeking a residence permit in the country will have to undergo the check-up, explained Al Ateeq.
Naji said the mandatory tests at the Medical Commission would continue even after the new system is implemented. This is to reassure that the newly-recruited workers are free from contagious diseases. The officials said the medical check-up in the countries of origin would help job seekers and employers to avoid huge losses. The losses are multifarious if a worker is sent back after failing the test at the Medical Commission.
The offices of JAMCA, which is the union of approved medical centres by the GCC countries, were formed in most of the countries and cities from where the foreign workers are being recruited. The JAMCA offices and medical centres have been connected through a computer programme that guarantees secrecy, security and fast transfer of data between the medical centres and JAMCA offices.
Al Ateeq said until this computer network becomes fully functional, the new recruits should produce the medical certificate from the approved medical centers. These certificates are to be attested by the Qatari missions.
Original Article from: The Peninsula
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