The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced that some provisions of the Cabinet resolution number 7 of year 2008, on the medical check up of expatriates, have been amended, following the endorsement of the cabinet as per the resolution number 28 of year 2010.
Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health said at a press conference today held at the ministry in Dubai that the amendments aim to deal with any loopholes amid rise in number of workforce in the country.
He added that the medical check up fees remain at AED250 against fitness certificate, a certificate which shows applicant is free from communicable diseases that pose danger on public health such as: Aids, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Syphilis. For housemaids AED50 will be charged for the first dose of hepatitis B immunisation, while the second and third doses will be free. The endorsement of health insurance will be AED200 for the housemaids.
The minister said five articles out of 12 were amended, adding that the articles 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 of the cabinet resolution number 7 of year 2008, on the medical check up system of expatriates, were replaced.
He called for enhancing services at the labour clinics through introduction of the latest devices, adding that the MoH was keen to set up systems that ensure the highest degrees of accuracy.
As per the article 2, all expatriates who enter the UAE for work purpose or study or residency will be subjected to the medical check up as stated in the resolution, which specifies conditions for issuing residence visa or renewing it.
For cases of hepatitis B, tuberculosis and leprosy, the new comers only will undergo medical check ups. But in case of Aids, new incomers and residents who seek renewal of residency will be all subjected to Aids test when applying or renewing residence visa.
At the renewal of residence visa, six categories: governesses, housemaids, nursery and kindergarten supervisors, workers at haircutting and beauty saloons, health clubs, foot catering workers, food control workers and workers at restaurants and cafeterias will undergo hepatitis B test.
WAM