Gov’t may require HIV testing for citizens returning after long-term stays abroad

The proposal was reviewed during a meeting of the “Milliy Tiklanish” party’s parliamentary faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Uzbekistan’s lower house of parliament).

Participants highlighted the growing scale of labor migration, the increasing number of returning citizens, and the inflow of foreign nationals into Uzbekistan – all of which necessitate enhanced measures for the early detection and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases.

In response, a draft law has been developed that would require mandatory medical examinations for Uzbek nationals who have stayed abroad for more than 90 days, as well as for foreign nationals entering the country for employment purposes.

In particular, mandatory HIV testing would apply to:

• Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who have stayed outside the country continuously for 90 days or more;
• Foreign nationals and stateless persons permanently residing in Uzbekistan;
• Foreign nationals and stateless persons arriving in Uzbekistan for employment.

Lawmakers explained that the 90-day threshold was chosen because many infectious diseases begin to show clinical symptoms after this period.

According to data presented at the meeting, of the 1.7 million citizens who returned from abroad last year, only 434,000 – or about 25% – underwent voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Among those tested, 1,512 were diagnosed with the virus.

“Since current legislation does not mandate medical examinations, the majority of returning citizens do not undergo screening for this disease,” the deputies noted.

Following the discussion, the party faction approved the draft law.