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scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What I know about Psychoses and Psychotropic Medication will remain a mystery to you, as will my own history of going mad inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

I will say again that you should not go to Saudi if you need psychoactive drugs, including C2HO5H. It is also advisable to stay away if you cannot control your temper - online or in the real world.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:15 am Post subject:

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Will diabetes prevent one from passing the medical in Saudi

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The medical for the visa does not test for Diabetes. Employers may be reluctant to hire you if you are diabetic. I concealed my condition from my employers when I worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines. their policy was not to hire foreigners with this condition and to terminate foreigners who became diabetic. (Some exceptions were made to that rule, but not for lowly EFL teachers.)

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

American Exceptionalism ! My experience has been as a UK citizen resident in various parts of Planet Earth. I am not now and never have been a US Citizen !

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Fasting blood sugar doesn't necessarily mean they could spot diabetes, it may only tell them at that very time.

One could in theory take short acting insulin [enough to drop to 3 or 4] and then take the test, although you'd soon want to eat something sweet to bring it back up!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

See GAMCA Medical Exam Guidelines, page 62, for a list of diseases and disorders that fall under the category of unfit for work.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I know teachers whose hiring was halted when they found out that the teacher had diabetes.

Thus you would have to lie and pass the medical tests.

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I was lucky when I applied to the airline. I lied about the diabetes and I assume that they did not test me for that. As a result I got 6 nice years teaching for Saudi Arabian Airlines at the Training Center in Ruwais and living in Saudia City in Khaledeya.. Good times. Nice housing. Schooling for daughter. Lots of free and cheapo flights for dependants.

I just had to keep "schtumm" about having "Sukkary".

Of course I am not suggesting that others should lie or conceal any material fact. I may have to answer to Our Maker, the All-seeing One, on Judgement Day. I trust he will extend Forgiveness. That is his metier !

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And then after Saudi Arabian Airlines I worked at KFUPM. They were not concerned about a teacher having diabetes. I made no secret of my condition there and was treated for it at KFUPM Medical Center.

nickelgoat · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject:

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plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

An interesting note on prescription drugs in Saudi Arabia. A street corner pharmacist offered me "Accutane" when there was no "Retin A" to be found in the entire Kingdom. Accutane is discontinued in the USA, it's very very dangerous to take. Fortunately I was smart enough to know you don't take Accutane without liver tests anyway and declined.