Monday March 17, 2008

HIV treatment and drugs for Zimbabwean refugees granted residency in New Zealand could cost the country nearly $1 million a year.Immigration figures obtained by The Dominion Post show that of the 939 Zimbabweans who fled the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, 50 would receive treatment for HIV.

The 50 refugees included more than a dozen who came forward during an Aids/HIV amnesty which waived health conditions on their application for residency.

The Ministry of Health said they would meet the anti-retroviral treatment costs of $18,000 a year for each person infected - totalling $900,000 for the 50.

NZ Aids Foundation spokesman Eamonn Smythe said granting residency to the Zimbabweans was a positive humanitarian move.  "These are people who are working, paying taxes, contributing to the New Zealand economy and helping to build strong communities," he told The Dominion Post.

Under the 2005 Special Zimbabwe Residence Policy just under 600 refugees were granted residence. However, many had not come forward. Believing some were not coming forward fearing rejection after the introduction of required mandatory HIV screening, the Government offered the remaining refugees an amnesty in August 2006, promising they would not be rejected if they were found to be HIV-positive.

The Government admitted then it erred in allowing Zimbabweans into the country without conducting HIV tests.

(Source NZPA)