Gov’t adopts new policy to protect seafarers from Ebola

MANILA, Philippines - The government has issued guidelines to protect Filipino seafarers from Ebola amid the outbreak of the deadly virus in West African countries.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued guidelines for Filipino seafarers and manning agencies to take precautionary measures against Ebola.

Baldoz noted that Filipino seafarers are at greater risk of contracting the virus compared to land-based workers.

Under the guidelines, shipping companies with vessels operating in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone ports should ensure that seafarers are provided with protective gear such as masks, gloves and goggles to limit their exposure to Ebola virus.

The POEA had imposed a ban on deployment of newly hired overseas Filipino workers to West Africa.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said ship masters should designate a medical officer who will report crewmembers showing symptoms of Ebola virus.

“They shall report those who have fever, headache, intense weakness, joint and muscle pains and sore throat to their employers who, in turn, are required to coordinate with international marine medical providers,” he said.

The POEA will submit copies of the medical report to the Departments of Health (DOH), Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Crisis alert

The government will come up with crisis alert level guidelines for infectious diseases after the Ebola virus killed more than 900 people in West Africa.

DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee-Suy said they will meet today with Department of Labor and Employment, POEA and DFA officials to discuss the guidelines.

“What we have now are crisis alert level guidelines for countries with security problems. We don’t have one for public health so we’ll be talking about this. This is not for Ebola alone but for other infectious diseases as well. It may take time to formulate the guidelines,” he said.

As of Aug. 6, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed there were 1,770 Ebola cases in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, with 961 deaths.

WHO had earlier declared Ebola an international health emergency requiring urgent response. – With Sheila Crisostomo