Kyrgyz migrants in Russia are less likely to be checked for HIV [Research]

December 18, 2018

Since the patent canceled, migrants from Kyrgyzstan in Russia began less frequently tested for HIV and tuberculosis. Reported by Kaktus.media with reference to the research data presented by the Tian Shan Policy Center (TSPC) of AUCA.

The study focused on the implementation of the rights of migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan in Russia and Kazakhstan as part of the membership of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Eurasian Economic Union. It was conducted in the 2017-2018.

"Migrants of 2015 from Kyrgyzstan do not need to get a patent for employment in Russia. As a result, passing a physical examination, including fluorography and testing for HIV infection, was not mandatory. The number of Kyrgyz migrants who take the HIV test and fluorography has decreased. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the medical monitoring of the health of migrants from Kyrgyzstan ", - stated in the presentation.

The study indicated that there was an obvious decrease in the level of awareness of migrant workers about their health. It is especially alarming that this is happening against the backdrop of the HIV epidemic in Russia. In 2016, about a half (51%) of Kyrgyz migrants checked for HIV, but in 2017 there were only 29% of these migrants.

Note:

According to the data per November 1, 2018, 8,679 people living with HIV registered in Kyrgyzstan, including foreigners. 8,214 of them are Kyrgyz Republic citizens. The infection has spread to the general population, and HIV stopped to be a disease of only certain risk groups such as, men who have sexual intercourse with men, sex workers and injecting drug users. The epidemic is on a concentrated stage.

According to the research study, Kyrgyz migrants working without documents under a risk group –especially 21% of those who have never taken an HIV-infection test, meanwhile 12% are those who work officially.

"These data are of great concern, as the emerging trend is fraught with an increased risk of late diagnosis of both HIV infection and tuberculosis, which can significantly complicate the treatment process in case of infection of Kyrgyz people with these dangerous diseases in Russia. Given their crowdedness, these risks become even more alarming ", - stated in the presentation.

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