Health Ministry updates health control procedures for expats

  • 28/03/2024

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, approved a ministerial decision stipulating that a newly arrived residency applicant in the country will be considered medically unfit, if it is proven by a laboratory examination for viral hepatitis C that his result is “indeterminate.” The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is prohibited in these cases, and the decisions and regulations governing it are applied to him.


This applies to expatriate residents who have two unspecified results at least four weeks apart from a laboratory test for antibodies to hepatitis C. They are allowed to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Anyone whose PCR test results in a positive result is considered unfit for health and the decisions will be applied to him. And the regulations governing this, and if the PCR test results in a negative result, his residency will be renewed for a year, and the polymerase chain reaction test will be repeated after the year has passed. If the test results in a negative result again, he is considered fit for health.

Related News