UK TB Testing

Migration Health Assessments for United Kingdom-Bound Migrants from South Africa

All applicants who are planning to stay in the United Kingdom for 6 months or longer, and who are living in or have travelled to a country with high TB burden within the last six months, are required to undergo a migration health assessment to screen for ACTIVE tuberculosis (TB) as part of their visa application process for the United Kingdom. In this document, you will find important information related to your migration health assessment. In South Africa.

Pretoria: IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre

February 2022

Address: Walker Creek Office Park, Building 4; Corner of Florence Ribeiro and Nicholson Street Muckleneuk Pretoria.
Telephone Numbers: +27 12 342 2789

Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:

1. Applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)

2. Applicants under 11 years old

3. Applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more.

Clinic email: uktbsouthafrica@iom.int; Opening Hours:

• Mondays-Thursdays: 8:00 am – 4.30 pm,

• Fridays 8:00 am -12:30 pm.

Cape Town: Intercare Century City

Address: Intercare Century City Medical Centre, Building 5 Corner of Century Way and Park Lane, Telephone Numbers: +27 21 879 0000

Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:

1. Applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)

2. Applicants under 11 years old

3. Applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more

Clinic email: uktb.centurycity@intercare.co.za
Opening Hours: Mondays- Friday: 8.00 am- 3.00 pm

Durban: ShipMed Medical Services

Address: ENT Centre, 25 Glenwood drive, Glenwood, Durban. Telephone Numbers: +27 31 261 8291

Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:

1. Applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)

2. Applicants under 11 years old

3. Applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more

Clinic email: uktb@shipmed.co.za
Opening Hours: Mondays-Friday: 8.00 am – 4.30 pm

What Should I Expect at my Appointment?

The scope of the migration health assessment varies depending on factors such on your visa category, age, gender and current health status. The list below shows some of the procedures that you or your family (if they are applying to migrate with you to the United Kingdom) might receive:

➢  Registration.

➢  Counselling to explain the health assessment process (at the end of the counselling you will sign an

informed consent form).

➢  Medical examination, which may include the following:

     ▪ A review of your medical history and current symptoms.
     ▪ A physical examination, where clinically indicated.
     ▪ A chest X-ray.

➢  Clearance certificate (if all tests are normal, the Certificate will be issued the same day).

Breakdown of Migration Health Assessment Procedures, by Age of Applicant

All basic requirements are done on the same day, during the same appointment.
*Children under the age of 11 years may be requested to undergo chest X-ray, if clinically indicated

Importante note:

Minors:
Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide consent and make decisions on their behalf.

Pregnancy:
Women of child-bearing age may be requested to provide a urine sample to test for pregnancy before undergoing

a chest X-ray. If you are pregnant and undergoing a migration health assessment, you may choose to:

• Proceed with the chest X-ray with a double leaded shielding to protect you and your unborn baby; or

• Opt for sputum testing, where you will be requested to provide a sputum sample on 3 consecutive days;

  or

• Wait to proceed with the migration health assessment until after giving birth.

If you choose to proceed with the chest X-ray, you will be requested to sign an additional consent form.

Tuberculosis:
TB is a contagious bacterial infection that is spread from person to person through tiny droplets in the air. TB can be either:

(1) Latent TB: when you have the bacteria in your body, but you don’t have any clinical manifestations.

(2) Active TB: when you have the bacteria and have clinical, radiological or laboratory manifestations.

You might be asked to undergo further testing if the doctor suspects you have active TB. In such an event, you will be provided with additional counselling and more information during your appointment.

You will be requested to provide three (3) sputum samples over 3 consecutive days. These samples are then tested in a laboratory; it can take up to 8-10 weeks to obtain a result. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of medical exam and not from the date of sputum report.

If you are required to complete this test, your health assessment certificate will be put on hold until the results are received. If you are found to have TB, you will need to successfully complete treatment before resuming the immigration process.

Good news! TB is treatable and most people can be cured at home with a few months of oral antibiotics.

What Do I Need to Bring to My Appointment?

Identification:

➢ Passport (original)
➢ Refugees / Asylum Seekers (Alien ID/Attestation letter) ➢ Proof of payment
➢ Online booking reference number.

Medical Records:
▹ Any medical reports with previous chest X-rays, if available. This is especially important if you were diagnosed

with and treated for tuberculosis at any point in life.

Other:

▹ If you pre-paid for your migration health assessment, please bring a hard copy of the proof of payment ▹Permanent and current address in the country of origin
▹Full address in the United Kingdom, complete with phone number and postal code

Advice for the Migration Health Assessment

▹ For your physical examination, you will be asked to remove your clothes and will be provided with a medical gown, but please keep your underwear on (see image at right).
▹ You may request a chaperone to be present at your physical examination.
▹ Please do not conceal any medical conditions; deliberate attempts to hide them will be reported to the UK immigration authorities.
▹ Please do not conceal your pregnancy; being pregnant will have no impact on your immigration prospects.
▹ Please postpone or re-schedule your appointment if you or your child are ill with a fever or have a rash.
▹ There is no need to fast prior to your appointment.

Migration Health Assessment Fees and Payment Information

Fees, by Age of Applicant:

.

Additional fees may apply if other investigations are requested.

How to Pay for the Migration Health Assessment:

▹ Payments should be made in South African Rand.
▹ Payments should be made at least two days before your appointment date to the account below through an electronic bank transfer. Come with your payment notification statement when coming for medical examination.

Bank Details: