Another important change has been made in Uzbekistan's legislation. Now, all citizens who have stayed abroad continuously for ninety days or more and returned to the country at the age of 18 to 60 are required to undergo a mandatory medical HIV test.
The main purpose of the new law, discussed at the ninth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, is to ensure public health in conditions of growing labor migration and the increasing number of citizens returning from abroad.
According to official data, during 2024 more than 1.7 million Uzbeks returned from abroad, and only 434 thousand of them underwent HIV/AIDS testing. During the examination, this disease was detected in 1,512 cases. Also, more than 12.7 thousand foreign citizens and stateless persons were tested, and among them, infectious diseases were detected in 81 people.
Experts note that it is still unknown which infectious diseases are present among thousands of migrants who have not undergone the examination. In this regard, this draft law is considered relevant and practical.
According to the new law, citizens who have stayed abroad continuously for ninety days or more, as well as foreign citizens and stateless persons who have come to Uzbekistan for employment or are permanently residing in the republic, are required to undergo mandatory medical screening for HIV infection.
It is also established that for Uzbek citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in our country, this examination is carried out at the expense of the state budget. For foreign citizens or stateless persons, the test is carried out at their own expense, at the expense of the employer, or from other sources not prohibited by law.
Another important detail is that if HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis is detected, a work permit for employment in Uzbekistan will be denied.
At the end of the discussion, the senators approved this initiative and adopted the law. The new rules will soon be implemented in practice and will serve as an important guarantee for public health.
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