By Ketricia Finch
St. Kitts Reporter
The elimination of an HIV test from the application processes for persons seeking naturalization and work permits in the Federation has caused some controversy and concern among residents. Prime Minister, Denzil Douglas had previously explained that the test was not an act of discrimination but a means of recording essential health data. The Observer took to the streets to find out how citizens feel about this change to national immigration and labour processes.
How do you view the elimination of the HIV/AIDS test?
‘Kurtley’, Customs – I think it’s right for them to take an HIV test. First of all, if we are welcoming anybody into our country, we have to know what they are bringing with them. If they are bringing anything that is not accepted, that anyone in this country don’t want, then we have a right to know. If the disease is contagious and they come in contact with anybody else, if we can do something to prevent that, we should take some kind of measures and disapprove the allowance of them into the country. If it’s going to cause any detriment to the country, I don’t think we should allow them to come in.
‘Star St. Clair’, Entrepreneur – Any kind of disease should be tested before foreigners come here just like when you are going away and you have to get your vaccination papers. Everybody have to get tested to make sure that they are healthy. Most people who come here are rejected people from their own country and would glad to get the opportunity to come to a small simple island and exploit it. I think it’s wrong for them not to allow the people to get tested. They should make sure that everyone who come to reside here or even to work have a positive test for any kind of disease.
Sven Caines, SL Horsfords – It’s a measure of protecting the health of the locals. The country should be stricter when it comes to the naturalization process here because it could worsen the health of people.
Wallis Wilkin, Marketing Executive of SL Horsfords – I think they should take an AIDS test. It’s a way of controlling and monitoring the AIDS epidemic locally. We have problems dealing with the situation among locals and that’s bad enough. So to compound the problem by allowing foreigners seeking to work here, to come in with the virus is only exacerbating the situation. I think if you want to come here, live here, work here you should definitely take an AIDS test among other tests.
‘Kurt’, Security Guard – It all depends on whether the person should come here or not if they have a disease. Is it really necessary to give them the AIDS test? You can get any disease from someone who lives in the same country as you. They should look into a situation where someone wants to come here but have a disease because there is increase in technology and treatment is much easier to get than previous years. Plus if the person is honest and trustworthy, I don’t see why they shouldn’t come or depends on the importance of the job they want to do. I don’t think they should come If the disease is uncontrollable.
Gavin Chapman, Customs – Foreigners should take the test and if they have the disease, then they shouldn’t be allowed to come into the country. If they are not strict with this thing, then more people can come here can become infected and that can put the country in even more expense.
‘Top-a-top’, foreigner – I am a foreigner myself and I think everybody should take the test. I do it regularly. If you don’t you would be living scared and unpredictable, just wandering and that would put them into stress and die. It’s best they take it to know what’s happening to them and they know exactly what their lives are based on. It’s a negative when you don’t take it because you don’t know what your life is based on.
