The government has announced that expatriates who arrive in the Maldives must now complete their medical check-ups within 15 days of their arrival in the Maldives.
This was announced by the principal secretary to the President on Public Policy Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim at a press conference held today at the President's Office.
Nazim said that the number of expatriates arriving in the country is increasing day by day and that this strains the country's healthcare system. He said that there have been many discussions on the matter and that many decisions have now been made.
The former health Minister explained that the Maldives have been controlling several communicable diseases over the last few years. He said that however, because of expatriates who come to the Maldives from countries where these diseases are still prevalent means that such diseases are now spreading in the Maldives too.
Nazim to prevent these issues, the government has decided to strengthen the medical up system for expatriates. He said that migrant workers who come under work, dependent, reserved, student and corporate visas must get their medical check-ups done upon arrival and as well as annually.
Nazim further said that foreigners who apply for marriage visas for the first time must also get their medical checkups done and the migrant workers must now get their medicals done within 15 days upon arrival instead of the 30 days previously set.
He explained that those visiting the Maldives on a business visa from an endemic region must also submit their medicals if they are extending their visas. Nazim said that the Health Ministry has the discretion to add or remove medical tests to the checkups depending on the public health in the country.
The principal secretary said that the medical must be done as per the standards set by the Health Ministry and by the health facilities designated by the Ministry.
Nazim also said that expatriates currently living in the Maldives who have not had their medicals done in the last year must get it done within 6 months and that authorities are setting up medicals for illegal migrants working in the country.
Expatriate medicals have been deemed compulsory as the country continues to combat a Filariais outbreak that stemmed from the Northern City of Kulhudufushi. Health Protection Agency HPA has said yesterday that a total of 32 cases have now been identified in the Maldive including 7 from the Greater Male' area.
