Tan A, Wolffers I, Marin ML, Pollock J; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeD5244.

Institution, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Currently, 60 countries worldwide impose mandatory HIV testing for migrants. (WHO 2003) Mandatory testing is often accompanied by notification and deportation. It is discriminatory in nature and often undertaken in violation of the migrant's rights to privacy, confidentiality, consent and a livelihood. The use of mandatory testing as a strategy to manage the HIV epidemic as well as its ethics and rationale is questionable. Mandatory testing and deportation denies migrants the access to treatment. CARAM is a network of community based organizations in 11 countries in Asia doing a participatory action research with migrants and their families. Given the increasing numbers of migrants who were returning home HIV positive, CARAM embarked on a research focusing on the concerns and problems of HIV positive migrants and reviewing related policy on mandatory testing, notification and deportation. CARAM's research and interventions on the issue show that, migrants have little or no knowledge that they are being tested for HIV pre and post test counseling is nil or poor provision of information on HIV to departing migrants by recruiting agencies in sending countries is minimal notification is followed by deportation (some countries immediately) without counseling, referral or care Migrants come in with a clean bill of health through pre-employment medical tests. However, a disabling environment in destination countries results in their HIV status and with it, stigma & discrimination Recommendations: Mandatory testing and deportation for migrants should be abolishedVoluntary testing and counseling should be offered to migrants in line with internationally recognized standards with regards to pre and post test counselingMigrants should be allowed to continue workingThey should be given access to treatment and health informationPre-departure and post arrival orientation, including on health and HIV should be offered to migrants

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Asia
• Confidentiality
• Counseling
• Emigration and Immigration
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health
• Health Planning Guidelines
• Human Rights
• Mandatory Testing
• Mass Screening
• Transients and Migrants

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0038833

UI: 102283049

From Meeting Abstracts