Job Discussion Forums

GrizzlyAdams · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 37

My doctor put down asthma under 'significant illnesses' on the medical.

Does anyone think this may present any problem?

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:37 pm Post subject:

My guess (and it is just a guess) is that it won't be a problem.

The Embassy people are more concerned about communicable diseases, ie, they don't want you infecting the good people of Riyadh, but don't much care if you'll be coughing and wheezing. YOur employers, if they find out about your asthma (and they shouldn't, because the medicals are only seen by the Embassy) are also unlikely to make an issue of it. In any case, asthma is quite common in KSA: hopefully you're not headed for Riyadh or the Najd district, where the bone dry desert air is said to exacerbate the condition.

GrizzlyAdams · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 37

The thing is that I haven't had any problem with asthma for a number of years. I didn't think he would put it down on the form. He asked me about it and i said yes, I have asthma. I also commented that there was nowhere on the form where they asked you about that. It was only after I left the surgery that I checked and he had put it down. 'PMH asthma' -what does that mean exactly? Its an abbreviation of some sort but after a brief search I haven't located.

Tip: Keep your mouth shut during the medical!!

Also, I wonder who it is that checks the medical at the London embassy. Do they actually know what the doctor writes? I can hardly read his handwriting never mind anything else!

I have been in Riyadh Cleopatra. The climate didn't affect me at all apart from the occasional sandstorm depositing a few grams of in the back of my throat.

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject:

From my experience with the London Embassy, basically they just scan the Medical Form for any "Positives" in the list the doctor has to check. Is asthma on the list? I didn't think so. The guys in the London Embassy are fairly reasonable and helpful - my hunch is you won't have a problem but obviously it is only guesswork on my part.

shadowfax · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject:

I am almost certain that PMH means "past medical history of"

True Dreamer · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 41 Location: Land of the Sand

Just out of curiousity GrizzlyAdams... how much did you pay that helpful doctor?!

And I do also think that the embassy's most concerns are viral infections such as HIV. So don't worry just hand your application with a big smile on your face! Let us know what happens in the embassy....

GrizzlyAdams · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 37

I had the medical done by my own GP. He charged �8. I previously had a different doctor at the same surgery do it for free.

I know some GPs refuse to do it.

If PMh stands for 'pat medical history' then I am not too worried. I just hope the Saudis at the embassy know thats what it means too!!!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

They are concerned about AIDS and TB. Maybe syphilis and gonorrhea.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Obviously, one's psychiatric health is utterly disregarded and considered entirely irrelevant! Confused

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Being potty can be a definite plus in many jobs.