| Each country has
its own characteristics. Let's see how it works in Spain: Medical examinations
prior to embarking, as well as occupational and
preventive medicine, such as health care training
courses, etc, are carried out in these ISM
(“Instituto Social de la Marina”, or
Mariners’ Social Institute) centres, run by the
“Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales”
(Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs). Throughout the
national territory, there are 37 active “Centros
de Sanidad Marítima”, or Maritime Health Centres, located
in the main coastal cities and ports (in local and state
“Casas del Mar”, literal translation = Houses
of the Sea a kind of Maritime Welfare Institutes with
employment and social resources, belonging to the ISM).
They facilitate health care for maritime workers, as well
as promoting their health. They coordinate with other
existing resources within the ISM’s “Programa
de Sanidad Marítima” (Program for Maritime Health),
and participate in the national computerized data-base of
medical records in order to facilitate individual health
care monitoring.
“Sanidad Exterior” (the Department of
Overseas Health), a branch of the “Ministerio de
Sanidad y Consumo” (Ministry of Health and Consumer
Affairs), also has centres located in ports. Its main
duty is the supervision of sanitary and hygiene measures
in ports, as well as international vaccination.
“La Cruz Roja del mar” (the Red Cross
for the sea) also carries out coastal rescue operations,
as well as giving first aid.
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