World Maritime Day, celebrated annually on the last Thursday of September, emphasizes the crucial role of the maritime sector in the global economy. This year’s theme, “Navigating the Future: Prioritizing Safety,” underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of seafarers.
Anuj Velankar, General Manager at MedSea, an International SOS company, and a former maritime captain, highlights a critical aspect of safety often overlooked: the connection between safety and health. While traditional maritime safety focuses on preventing accidents and injuries, MedSea emphasizes the prevalence of chronic conditions among seafarers and their impact on overall wellbeing and safety. According to MedSea data, hypertension is the most common chronic condition affecting seafarers, accounting for 67% of all reported conditions on board. Other common health issues include diabetes, high cholesterol, and gout.
Unmanaged chronic diseases (NCDs) pose significant health risks to seafarers, potentially leading to complications requiring vessel diversions or causing delays. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that NCDs will continue to rise globally, with chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions expected to contribute to 86% of the projected 90 million deaths annually by 2050.
Managing chronic conditions in a maritime setting presents unique challenges. Limited access to healthcare, extended time away from home, and physically demanding work can lead to neglect in managing these conditions, further jeopardizing the health and safety of seafarers.
Dr. Katherine Sinclaire, Senior Medical Advisor at MedSea, emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address this issue. While crewmembers are often aware of their chronic conditions, managing them can sometimes be neglected, posing serious safety risks onboard. Captains often lack the resources to closely monitor the health of crewmembers. Therefore, organizations should consider implementing proactive measures like regular health check-ups, providing health education, and ensuring access to necessary medical resources.
MedSea offers key recommendations for organizations to help prevent common injuries and illnesses among seafarers aboard commercial vessels:
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Promote proactive health management:
Encourage regular health check-ups and provide support for seafarers to manage their chronic conditions.*
Implement robust health education programs:
Educate crewmembers on the importance of managing chronic conditions and provide guidance on healthy lifestyle choices.*
Ensure easy access to medical resources:
Make sure seafarers have access to qualified medical professionals and necessary medications, both onboard and onshore.By prioritizing the management of chronic conditions and promoting health initiatives on board, organizations can create a safer and healthier working environment for seafarers, ensuring they can navigate the future safely and effectively.
