Job Discussion Forums

[Tainan]

Is a Medical test required for a job in Iraqi Kurdistan?

[helenl]

Most off shore hires do have to get a medical - especially if part of the package benefits provides the employee with medical insurance. Not sure about Iraq - perhaps checking some of the employment websites for there might provide some insight?

[Van Gogh]

Tainan, for AUI-S there is a blood test that is done shortly after arrival and, as Helenl says this is to help with med cover.

However, it must be noted that upon arrival at the airport, be it Sulaimani International or Erbil International, you will be greeted by a very medical looking person. This medic takes the fag out of his mouth just out long enough to hold a thermometer against your forehead, (there must be some kind of smoky bacon swine flu going around.) and then jots down the temp on a government health card which is then handed to the immigration people who store it on the floor.

If you PM me, and let me know which teaching institute you may be working for I will try to find out what their med policy is for you.

[hawlermonkey]

10 days after arriving you need to register at the residency office. Before this happens the university will arrange a blood test to check if you have AIDS or drugs in your system. Also there is a questionnaire - my medical took less than 2 minutes. If you fail, your residency won't be approved. I met one guy who got rejected apparently because of high alcohol levels due to heavy drinking the night before the test - I have no idea about the validity of this claim - Iraq is full of picaresque characters trying to escape from reality (like me probably) - maybe he had AIDS. Just to be safe avoid unprotected sex, drugs and don't binge drink before the test. It's nothing like the medicals that are required in Saudi and some African countries - no chest x-rays, blood pressure etc