Tuberculosis testing in Ethiopia
Updated 5 October 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-test-for-a-uk-visa-clinics-in-ethiopia/tuberculosis-testing-in-ethiopia
The following will not be required to obtain a certificate:
- diplomatic passport holders travelling on official business or on a posting to the UK
- those who qualify for exempt visa
- those applying for a certificate of entitlement
Approved clinics
IOM Migration Health Assessment Center (MHAC)
Bole Kefle Ketema, Woreda 03/05
Meseret Defar Rd.
Behind Millennium Hall
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Telephone:
- +251 111 30 1030
- +251 116 39 2875
- +251 116 39 3073
Mobile: +251 914 31 6731
Email: iometmedicalappointment@iom.int
Website: https://ethiopia.iom.int/services
Online booking system: https://mymedical.iom.int/apps/omas/#_frmHome
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5:30pm
- Friday, 8am to 2pm
Closed on national holidays.
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years |
|---|---|
| 130 USD | 60 USD |
The fee for reissuing a TB clearance certificate is 10 USD. This usually happens when applicants make mistakes during registration and request a new certificate.
The fee must be paid in Ethiopian Birr (ETB) or US dollars (USD) at the clinic before your medical examination. The fee in ETB can be found on the IOM website.
What you should bring with you
- a valid identity document or passport
- UNHCR/MHA registration documents for refugee applicants
American Medical Center
Inside the Sunshine real estate compound (Meri Lukie)
Woreda 13
Lemi Kura sub-city
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
P.O. Box 58259
Telephone number: +251 11 6678020
Email: ethiopiaamc@gmail.com
Website: www.amcethiopia.com
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
- Saturday, 8am to 12pm
Test fees
The fee for the test is 2,780 ETB, which includes consultation and x-ray fees but excludes sputum examinations when required.
What you should bring with you
- valid identification which contains your photograph, such as a passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card
- consultation and TB test fees (x-rays, sputum when necessary)
Attending the clinic
You should contact the clinic to book an appointment at least 10 weeks before your travel to allow processing in case you may require further testing after the initial examination. You should make it clear you need the test for a UK visa application.
Test fees
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee.
The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused.
The test fee does not cover treatment if you already have TB.
Step-by-step procedures
- the medical examination will be processed on Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4pm and on Friday 8am to 12:30pm
- all visa applicants must attend the clinic for the assessment with all the required documents
- the initial examination will include a counselling session and signing a consent form
- applicants aged 10 and under will go through a medical examination by the physician before a certificate is issued
- applicants aged 11 and above will have a chest x-ray done; applicants will then be reviewed by the doctor with the chest x-ray result before a certificate is issued
- additional sputum smears and cultures medical procedures may apply in case of abnormal chest x-ray findings and could take up to 8 weeks to get the final results
- a TB clearance certificate will be issued to the applicant on the day of the examination if the examination result is considered free of active pulmonary TB disease
- if you do not return within 7 days for sputum collection, you will not get a TB clearance certificate
- you will be given further testing or told to contact your own health care provider if the examination results are abnormal but the abnormality is not related to TB disease
- the TB clearance certificate expires 6 months from the chest x-ray date if you had a chest x-ray done, or 6 months from the physical examination date if you don’t need a chest x-ray
- the TB clearance certificate is valid for 3 months if you have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB
- female applicants may be requested to undergo a pregnancy test, in case there is uncertainty as to whether they may be pregnant
- pregnant applicants can decide not to get a chest x-ray examination and instead either give sputum for a TB test on 3 consecutive mornings or delay the TB screening until after giving birth
Read more information on TB screening requirements for people applying for a UK visa in countries where TB is common.