Last December, the IRIN international wire news service reported that Iraq had deported at least seven foreigners, of undisclosed origin, from the northern Kurdistan region who tested HIV positive while in Iraq. Officials cite a shortage of antiretrovirals as justification, implying that the deportations would reduce the risk of new infections. Under Saddam Hussein’s reign—but no longer—all foreigners entering the country were tested for HIV and turned away if they tested positive. At the end of last year, Iraq officially had only 100 positive people (advocates say actual rates were probably much higher, though still among the lowest in the region). Experts report that the influx of foreigners since the U.S.-led invasion has imported higher HIV rates, which spread to Iraqis through sex or shared needles. Precise figures, however, are hard to come by. Stigma remains high and awareness and testing levels hazardously low. Wadah Abood, MD, a World Health Organization representative in Iraq said, “We and other UN agencies are doing our best in providing antiretrovirals soon,” for positive Iraqis and any foreigners who remain. Now, that’s a good escalation policy.
