UK To Screen Nigerians For Tuberculosis Before Issuing Visas

Travellers from 67 countries including Nigeria, will soon be screened for Tuberculosis (TB) before being granted a visa to enter the UK.

The pre-entry screening is expected to start in phased stages around July 2012.

The new rules were announced by British Immigration Minister, Damian Green on Tuesday, when he stated that the scheme is for migrants coming from countries with high incidence of tuberculosis.

Under the scheme, all migrants coming to the UK for more than six months from the 67 countries identified as having a high incidence of TB by the World Health Organisation will need to be screened for the airborne infection before being granted a visa.

Nigeria is on the WHO list of countries with high incidence of TB with an estimated 210,000 cases.

This move according to the foreign office will help save lives and will also save more than £40 million over ten years as it will replace screening at UK airports.

TB is estimated to be at its highest level in the UK for more than 30 years, with 9,000 new cases recorded in 2011, up five per cent from 2010.

Tuberculosis is an airborne infection which constitutes a global public health issue and kills an estimated 1.8 million people worldwide each year.

Source: Channels News