Outrage over Russian scholarship HIV test requirements

Russia’s requirement that Zimbabwean students provide results of their HIV status as part of the application process for scholarships to study in that country has been condemned by Zimbabwean AIDS activists, prompting a call for African countries to “forgo” scholarships offered under such conditions.

The activists said there is a need for global attention on the matter, to ensure that countries do not continue requiring students to submit results of their HIV tests as part of the application process.

The call follows an advertisement placed on state-run television in Zimbabwe by the Russian embassy, offering an opportunity for Zimbabwean students to start or continue their studies at Russian institutions of higher education in February.

It said 70 state scholarships were available every year and study areas consisted of more than 100 alternatives in science and humanities.

The advert said all students applying for Russian state scholarships should submit their applications through Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development.

After approval by the ministry, students should bring the required documents to the Russian embassy, including legally certified copies of education certificates and examination results, passport pages, a medical certificate and an HIV/AIDS test certificate issued by an official Zimbabwean health authority.

Policy change

Tendayi Westerhof, the Zimbabwe Women Living with HIV National Forum chairperson, said the requirement that one must submit a certified copy of an HIV/AIDS test as part of applying for a scholarship, needed global attention to ensure a policy change.

“There is need for policy change on the scholarships. Our MPs, the African Union and its regional blocks and the United Nations must revisit the issue of countries requiring HIV tests for aspiring young people who wish to study in their countries.

“HIV tests must always be voluntary. Forcing young aspiring students who wish to study in certain countries offering scholarships abroad to undergo HIV and AIDS tests is a gross violation of their privacy and human rights. I think it’s high time as Africans we stop the obsession with foreign education. Why don’t we agree not to apply for scholarships offered by such countries?”

She said it was time African countries forgo scholarships from countries that set draconian policies for HIV and AIDS tests.

Westerhof said African countries must also invest in their own universities so that young people get the same chance to fulfil their dreams without discriminatory scholarships that she said would do young people more harm than good.

Advocacy

“We call for strong advocacy with the AU and the UN to repel this kind of criminalisation of young people living with HIV. Our local legislators must really look into this matter as it does not only affect the young people but parents who want to see our children excel and achieve their dreams,” she said.

“I am living openly with HIV and am fit and able to contribute to all developments in my country, including studying for anything of my choice and HIV has no role whatsoever in that,” Westerhof said.

Director of the Zimbabwe AIDS Network, Taurai Nyandoro, said asking one to submit their status was unacceptable, and HIV results have no bearing on the scholarship selection process.

“HIV has a human face and it has become a human rights issue. When accessing services, one must not be asked about status,” he said.

The Zimbabwe National AIDS Council said while people are encouraged to get tested and know their status, HIV testing remains voluntary in terms of Zimbabwe's laws.

The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to questions sent to it by University World News.

COMMENT

Doing this is akin to taking us back to the early dark days of the epidemic. It's sad to see attempts at institutionalising HIV stigma and discrimination under the guise of scholarships.

Zimbabwe AIDS Network on the University World News Facebook page