New Zealand may implement HIV testing for immigrants

The New Zealand government is considering amending its health screening policy for immigrants to include mandatory testing for HIV antibodies, the New Zealand Press Association reports. The country currently requires immigrants only to self-report their HIV status. Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said the current policy is "out of date" and that mandatory HIV testing is one of the possibilities being considered as part of a policy review, which is scheduled to be completed later this year. Dalziel said immigrants who test positive for HIV will not automatically be barred residency in the country, but added that immigration officials will consider the HIV test results to determine whether immigrants are "likely to become a burden on the public health system."