government health check

[zazi]

Does anyone know what exactly they are testing for in the government health test for the UAE?

[Audrey]

Hi Zazi,
Everybody who gets a residence visa has to have a health test every 3 years. They test mainly for HIV and if you are actually getting a work visa then you have to have a chest xray too for communicable lung diseases, etc. Not too scary though, just a routine blood test that takes 2 minutes .. though depending on where you go for it and at what time of day you could have to queue for a couple of hours!!
Hope that helps, please let me know if not and I will try to clarify further.

[zazi]

was just wondering if they test for anything "else" in the blood test or if anything "else" shows up....

[Audrey]

Don't honestly know, but I can say all narcotic substances are banned here and it is immediately to jail, no questions asked if any are found. I would imagine in the blood stream would count the same, but can't say with all honesty if they test for them. Its not common knowledge if it is a standard test as the HIV one is.
Sorry I can't be of more help to you,