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Trends in the medical repatriation of Filipino seafarers: a ten year study of a Philippine maritime shipping company (OSM Maritime)
Affiliations- Nordic Medical Clinic, Manila, Philippines
- College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
open access
Abstract
Background: Seafarers, confronted with unique health challenges, occasionally necessitate medical repatriation.
This study examines the trends in medical repatriation cases among Filipino seafarers employed
by OSM Maritime shipping company over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2022.
Materials and methods: Medical records of OSM Maritime seafarers were reviewed, obtaining causes for
and dates of medical repatriation. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) was utilised to classify
repatriation cases. Proportion of repatriation cases were calculated and their annual trends were analysed.
Results: Our findings reveal that the majority of repatriation cases are attributed to injury/trauma (19.91%),
musculoskeletal (18.40%), gastrointestinal (16.56%), cardiovascular (8.77%), infectious (6.82%),
and genitourinary conditions (5.30%). Significantly, the study identifies a declining trend in the proportion
of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary conditions in annual repatriation cases, particularly
in ischaemic heart conditions, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and urinary calculus.
Conclusions: These results emphasize the critical need for multisectoral collaboration to enhance seafarers’
health and well-being. Prioritizing comprehensive care programmes, ensuring safe working conditions,
and exploring holistic healthcare initiatives are essential steps to enhance seafarers’ occupational health.
Abstract
Background: Seafarers, confronted with unique health challenges, occasionally necessitate medical repatriation.
This study examines the trends in medical repatriation cases among Filipino seafarers employed
by OSM Maritime shipping company over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2022.
Materials and methods: Medical records of OSM Maritime seafarers were reviewed, obtaining causes for
and dates of medical repatriation. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) was utilised to classify
repatriation cases. Proportion of repatriation cases were calculated and their annual trends were analysed.
Results: Our findings reveal that the majority of repatriation cases are attributed to injury/trauma (19.91%),
musculoskeletal (18.40%), gastrointestinal (16.56%), cardiovascular (8.77%), infectious (6.82%),
and genitourinary conditions (5.30%). Significantly, the study identifies a declining trend in the proportion
of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary conditions in annual repatriation cases, particularly
in ischaemic heart conditions, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and urinary calculus.
Conclusions: These results emphasize the critical need for multisectoral collaboration to enhance seafarers’
health and well-being. Prioritizing comprehensive care programmes, ensuring safe working conditions,
and exploring holistic healthcare initiatives are essential steps to enhance seafarers’ occupational health.
Keywords
medical repatriation rates, Filipino seafarers, maritime industry, holistic care programme, occupational health
Supp./Additional Files (3)
About this articleTitle
Trends in the medical repatriation of Filipino seafarers: a ten year study of a Philippine maritime shipping company (OSM Maritime)
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
243-252
Published online
2023-12-15
Page views
428
Article views/downloads
271
DOI
10.5603/imh.96667
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
IMH 2023;74(4):243-252.
Keywords
medical repatriation rates
Filipino seafarers
maritime industry
holistic care programme
occupational health
Authors
Margarita S. Huerte
Christian Lubaton
Michael Tongson
Monique Mendoza
Raniv Rojo
Eric David B. Ornos
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