HIV-Positive Pilots Can't Fly in Swaziland

Swazi HIV groups are condemning new aviation guidelines that prevent people living with HIV from piloting an aircraft, PlusNews reports.

The updated Civil Aviation Authority Regulations for 2011 ban people who have HIV or tuberculosis from flying planes from Swaziland’s only commercial airport in the town of Manzini.

Regular HIV tests are conducted during medical exams that are mandatory when applying or reapplying for a pilot’s license—and test results are not bound by laws of confidentiality.

In Swaziland, it’s illegal to fire an employee because of his or her HIV status, and such workers can appeal to the nation’s Industrial Court.

An anonymous source said that the new regulations were installed to prevent people with AIDS from applying for a pilot license, and that there is ”wiggle room” in the policy for healthy HIV-positive applicants.

About 40 percent of Swaziland’s sexually active adults are living with HIV.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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