Restrictions on entry to Maldives
It is unclear whether the Maldives imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to the website of the Maldivian Government, all non-nationals arriving in the Maldives must complete and submit a ‘Traveller Declaration’ form. The travel declaration contains a health declaration, however we were not able to identify the questions or specific fields.
According to the Maldives Immigration Act 2007, Article 8 states that people living with ‘a dangerous contagious disease that may be of risk to public health, or considered to have any other dangerous diseases’, are not granted leave to enter the Maldives. It is not clear if this would include HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Maldives
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in the Maldives.
According to UNAIDS, HIV testing is required for work permits.
According to the Maldives Immigration website, for obtaining a work visa, a medical health screening report of the employee issued from a hospital/clinic authorised by the relevant government authority is required
The form for the medical health screening (also available on the Ministry of Health website) requires HIV testing along with tuberculosis, hepatitis, and syphilis, in addition to a chest X-Ray.
IOM reports that these screenings are ‘narrowly focused on determining migrants’ fitness to work rather than educating them on how to avoid health risks and seek treatment. While standard health screening tests could be performed by most clinics throughout the country, verification of positive-cases can be performed only by IGMH in Male. The duration of this process can vary, depending on IGMH’s technical and human resource capacities.’
Restrictions on long-term stay in Maldives
There is some evidence of official restrictions on long-term stay in the Maldives based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, residency permits are denied on the basis of HIV status.
Treatment access in Maldives
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Maldives. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to UNAIDS, in the Maldives, every HIV-positive result (screening test) will be notified to the National programme, for confirmatory testing and linking to treatment and care. An HIV test is available from all the hospital and health centres; anyone can access to these services free of charge. In addition there are eight centres designated to promote and offer free testing and counselling. Two VCT centers have been established outside the public health system, within NGOs that offer targeted services for key populations, youth and migrant workers. Maldives has national guidelines for HIV testing and counselling endorsed in April 2009.
IOM reports that despite the obligation of employers to provide all migrant workers with health insurance, the coverage provided – especially to lesser skilled workers – is typically the most basic. Furthermore, migrant workers are usually not provided with information about their insurance package coverage in an easily understood language and may be confronted with higher charges than most Maldivians.
Sources
Website of the Maldivian Government
Maldives Immigration Act 2007
Maldives Immigration website
Ministry of Health website
UNAIDS country report
International Organization for Migration