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FIFTH ITEM ON THE AGENDA

Report of the ILO/WHO Consultation on Guidelines
for Conducting Pre-Sea and Periodic Medical Fitness Examinations
for Seafarers
(Geneva, 25-27 November 1997)

1.  The Seventh Session of the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on the Health of Seafarers, which met from 10 to 14 May 1993,¹ concluded, inter alia, that, as regards the issue of the harmonization of medical examination of seafarers, fitness standards for seafarers vary widely. The elaboration of international guidelines on pre-sea and periodic medical fitness examinations for seafarers was therefore desirable.

2.  Subsequently, in accordance with decisions taken by the Governing Body at its 268th Session² (Geneva, March 1997) and the 49th Session of the World Health Assembly (May 1996), an ILO/WHO Consultation on Guidelines for Conducting Pre-Sea and Periodic Medical Fitness Examinations for Seafarers was held in Geneva from 25 to 27 November 1997. The Consultation was attended by four experts (two Shipowners and two Seafarers), appointed following consultations with the Employers' group and the Workers' group of the Governing Body, and four experts appointed by the World Health Organization.

3.  The Consultation reviewed and finalized a set of draft Guidelines for Conducting Pre-Sea and Periodic Medical Fitness Examinations of Seafarers which had been prepared jointly by the Office and the WHO.

4.  The report of the Consultation,(3)  including the Guidelines, submitted for examination by the Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings and Related Issues, is appended.

5.  The Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings and Related Issues may wish to recommend that the Governing Body --

1. take note of the report;
2. authorize the Director-General, in consultation with the Director-General of the World Health Organization, to publish the Guidelines.

Geneva, 13 February 1998.

Point for decision: Paragraph 5.

¹  GB.258/STM/3/4.

²  GB.268/STM/6/3 and GB.268/11, para. 90.

³  ILO/WHO/D.1/1997.