No guidelines for passengers'medical needs, MARINA admits

CEBU, Philippines - The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 has no existing guidelines or policies on how to deal with passengers with special medical needs while on board a ship.

 Marina 7 Legal Officer Jose Cabatingan revealed that they only require vessels to have a qualified paramedic or a physician to attend to the medical needs of the passengers during the travel.

For vessels with a capacity of below 500 passengers, Marina requires that a paramedic should be on board.

For bigger vessels with a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers, a registered doctor is required.

Most shipping companies in the country implement their own policies to protect their interest and of their passengers.

Shipping companies accept passengers with non-contagious illnesses.

A medical certificate is required to confirm that a passenger is fit for sea travel especially those with life support devices.

These patients should be accompanied by a licensed nurse or doctor.

Passengers with oxygen must bring enough supply for the entire trip.

There are also requirements for pregnant passengers.

 Cabatingan said the case of Ma. Grethel Enas was isolated and that relatives should have informed the ship’s crew members about her condition.

Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander Rolando Punzalan also raised the same concern.

He added maritime policies in the country should be revisited.

Enas jumped off MV Filipinas Maasin while traveling from Surigao City to Cebu last week.

Enas, a member of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), was found dead in Bontoc, Hindang, Leyte last Saturday.

She was reportedly restless during the trip and tried to jump off the ship twice. She was stopped by her fellow passengers but at dawn, they noticed that Enas was missing.

They asked for help from the crew members but they allegedly laughed when they heard of the news.

Olivo, Enas’s husband said the crew members have to answer for their negligence.

Enas could no longer be recognized when fished out last Saturday as she was already floating for three days.

But Olivo was certain it was her body because of the class ring, wedding ring and PBMA ring she was wearing.

Also recovered from her body was a ship ticket bearing her name and P10,500. (FREEMAN)