A 61-year-old Indian expat, who has lived in Dubai for more than 40 years, has been detained in quarantine and is set to be deported after he failed a tuberculosis (TB) test while applying for a new residency visa, it was reported.
“I have been living here since 1970 and all my life I’ve been working legally with a valid residency visa and I have been for a medical check-up for visa requirements many times,” Akbar Ali, who is being held in quarantine at Al Muhaisnah medical centre, told the Gulf News daily newspaper.
Ali, whose son and daughter were born in Dubai, cancelled his work visa when the cargo company he worked for closed and travelled to India with his family for a five days. He returned to Dubai and applied for an investor visa as he planned to set up his own company.
As part of the visa application he was given an X-ray test. Doctors said they suspected he may have old TB scars but he was still issued with a medical fitness certificate.
Three days later, he was told to return to Al Muhaisnah medical centre where he was given a TB examination by doctors. He was subsequently detained by security guards, taken into quarantine and is currently awaiting deportation.
“The doctors said that I have old scars on my lungs and that they suspect I had TB when I was born… I went for several medical check-ups and I’m fit and healthy… I do not know what to do and what will happen to me. I have lived here most of my life,” he was quoted as saying by Gulf News.
A medical spokesperson at the clinic confirmed the Indian expat is suspected of having TB scars and he will stay in quarantine until he is deported.
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