(SF)
Original Story Here

By Letlhogile Lucas
BBC News, Gaborone


Pilots in Botswana have reacted angrily to new regulations that mean they could face the sack if they have HIV.

The country's Civil Aviation Department says pilots and air traffic controllers must be tested regularly for HIV, diabetes and high blood pressure.

If found to be HIV-positive and to have developed another complaint, their licence will be withdrawn.

The authorities say the move is meant to guarantee passenger safety, but rights groups say it is discriminatory.

Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection, but also has one of Africa's most advanced Aids treatment programmes and readily available anti-retroviral drugs.

According to the government's own HIV/Aids policy, an employee should not loose their job because they have HIV.

'Uneasiness'

The new regulations require that a young pilot, for example, is tested at least once a year - and more often the older he or she gets.

If an employee is found to have conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, they will not be able to practise.

"There's suddenly a growing feeling of uneasiness amongst controllers and pilots," said Moetapele Motale of the Botswana Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The director of the country's Civil Aviation Department says the move is not intended to be unfair and the rules are unavoidable.

"All we're saying is that there are certain medical conditions that if people are diagnosed to have, then it may impair their judgement in the respective professions that they are rendering," said Olefile Moakofi.

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