Health examinations for schools in the middle east

[pinkdiva]

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has applied for teaching positions in either Qatar or the UAE.
I recently applied and had an interview for a positon in Qatar and I was informed during the interview that I would have to have 3 medical examinations both before leaving Australia and 2 upon arrival in Qatar. The examinations were to prove my clearance of any social diseases. I found this condition to be very intrusive and I did not agree to it as I have not had to prove this requirement in any other international school applications.

As I am new to the International circuit and I am interested in applying for Middle east positions, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who could enlighten me if this is common practice and how best to prepare for this questioning. Also what is an acceptable social disease.

[scribe]

When applying for visas in another country, one has to submit to their requirements. The medical tests required in Qatar are a blood test and an xray - to make sure you don't have AIDS or TB - it's done at a medical center expressly for that purpose and costs the equivalent of about $30. It has to be done in country so that they trust the test - many workers come from countries where corruption is rampant, so this precaution is reasonable. The exam you get prior to arrival is most likely for insurance coverage for your employer - again, standard fare. Similar tests have been required of us in other countries as well. So, far less intrusive than it sounds.

[saucerer]

If you want to work on the international school circuit, you'd better get used to it - it is a pre-requisite in many countries, a standard practice. In my third country now and in each have had to undertake - in country - HIV test, chest x-ray, even in one country cardiograph, eye test - colourblindness, hearing test.

[intlguest]

A school in eastern Europe required the same - HIV test and doctor's certificate that I didn't have any social diseases. I didn't mind. I don't think the school informed me of this during the interview, but later after I had signed a contract and they gave me my list of things I needed to get done before arriving in the country. Again, I didn't mind at all.

I agree with the previous poster - get used to this kind of thing in international teaching.

[10/6]

This is indeed "standard" in the Middle East (UAE, Kuwait) and Eastern Europe, for example. The ME requires HIV, TB and Malaria. Eastern Europe requires HIV, chest x-rays and a cursory "skin examination". Just a glance at the inside skin on your arm and its all over! Nothing intrusive. The clinics for this purpose in Kuwait are most off-putting, but once it is done, you can forget about it.