A Case of HIV Detected in Northern Cyprus

The detection of an HIV case in a foreign woman in Lefke sparked discussion in the political circles of the island’s north. Opposition MPs said that after the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was deported, but proper work to trace and inform the people who had been in contact with her was not carried out in full. Additional attention was drawn by unverified claims from some politicians that the woman may have been forced into prostitution.

Response from the authorities and the Ministry of Health:
• Minister Hakan Dinçyürek explained that this is not a new case. He said that the woman is already receiving treatment in her home country and urged the public to avoid panic.
• The authorities confirmed their readiness to provide medical care, testing and support free of charge to anyone who has reason to fear possible infection.

Deportation rules in cases of HIV:
The minister denied rumors that having HIV automatically leads to expulsion from the country. Restrictions on stay apply only to foreign citizens who enter for the first time on work or student visas and do not undergo the mandatory initial medical screening. Foreign nationals who already have valid status (residence permit, work, study) are not subject to deportation solely because of the diagnosis.