“Danger too great”
University excludes HIV-positive students from university
The German University of Marburg has excluded an HIV-positive student from the courses in the middle of his dentistry studies. He represents too great a danger. The case ended up in court.
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The University of Marburg is located in the German state of Hesse.
The student (33) had already successfully completed the two theoretical sections of the dentistry course. But in 2022, the University of Marburg in the German state of Hesse excluded him from further studies, reports Focus. She saw the student as too great a danger for fellow students and later patients, since the man tested positive for HIV in 2012.
The third part, which is still missing, contains the clinical practice at the Giessen-Marburg University Hospital. Before this part, all students had to undergo an occupational medical examination by the company doctor. For legal reasons, the man initially left the question of possible infectious diseases unanswered. At the insistence of the company doctor, the student finally agreed to an HIV test.
After the result was positive, the doctor convened a committee of experts. This judged not only that the student must be excluded from the course for one year. But also that he had to take a test every 30 days during these twelve months that showed he was not contagious. The student had to bear the cost of the tests himself – 145 euros each.
Administrative Court agrees with university
He then took legal action against the university. The Giessen Administrative Court ruled that there was no reason for the exclusion from the practical part from an infectiological point of view. However, the university stuck to its decision.
The student repeatedly stated that the university applied stricter standards to him than to HIV-positive surgeons. The case came before the Hessian Administrative Court. In January 2022, he agreed with the university and prohibited further appeals. (hey)