The Qatari authorities have deported more than 200 Kenyan nationals after they tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Qatar, which employs over 70,000 Kenyans in various sectors, including domestic work, hospitality, security, and transportation, has very strict health policies regarding foreign workers. While the majority of Kenyan expatriates in Qatar work as housekeepers, drivers, cooks, and security guards, a smaller number hold high-paying professional roles such as doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives.
READ ALSO:
Raila: ODM Yet to Decide on 2027 Presidential Candidate (Video)
Tiger Handler And ‘Joe Exotic Associate’ Fatally Mauled by Big Tiger at Reserve
Grief as a Deejay Collapses And Dies At Club Java in Embu
TV Presenter Dies in Plane Crash After Posting Photo of Her Taking Flying Lesson
TV Presenter Dies in Plane Crash After Posting Photo of Her Taking Flying Lesson
According to official Qatari immigration data, the deportations took place over the past six months. Authorities enforced the action under the country’s stringent health regulations, which prohibit individuals diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, from living or working in the country.
As of late 2024, Kenya’s national HIV prevalence rate stood at 3.3%, meaning an estimated 1.378 million people were living with the virus. However, this rate varies significantly across different populations and regions. For instance, the prevalence among people who inject drugs is alarmingly high at 18.7%, while certain counties, such as Homa Bay, have disproportionately higher infection rates compared to the national average.
Kenya has made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV over the past decade, with the number of new infections steadily declining. Despite this progress, the country still faces challenges, particularly in curbing infections among young people and addressing the higher vulnerability of women to HIV.
Across Africa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) has historically recorded the highest adult HIV prevalence rates, often exceeding 20%. South Africa, on the other hand, has the largest total number of people living with HIV. Other countries, such as Zimbabwe, also bear a significant burden, highlighting the continuing public health challenge that HIV poses across the continent.
For more updates and news, follow us on Twitter and Facebook
