Medical treatment rates on shore for crew members of cruise ships

What is it about?

The growing demand for cruises requires additional, and even larger, cruise ships with the corresponding crew. Sufficient personnel can only be secured by recruiting crew members from different countries of origin. These crew members have different health statuses.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

According to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) the employer must ensure and finance medical care on board, onshore, and, if necessary, hospital care for the entire period of employment of a crew member. The period of employment on board is between 3–10 months depending on the contract. It is standard to have a ship’s doctor on the ship, but there is no medical specialist. This means all treatments by specialists (e.g., dentist; radiologist; gynaecologist; ophthalmologist; ear, nose, and throat specialist; and neurologist) must be organised for the next port, which is time-consuming and costly. Until then, usually only a bridging treatment for treating symptoms and pain by the ship’s doctor is possible.

Perspectives