Marina backs inclusion of HIV/AIDS ‘module’ in maritime curriculum

Concerned on health condition and work protection for Filipino seafarers deployed aboard ocean-going and domestic vessels, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) headed by Administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia Jr. declared all support for the global initiative of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that seeks to include HIV/ AIDS “module” in maritime schools’ curriculum.

In the Philippines, the ITF, along with its affiliates – the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) headed by Dr. Conrado F. Oca, and Philippine Seafarers’ Union (PSU) – stand firmly committed to help seafarers in terms of prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Early this month, ITF, AMOSUP and PSU, together with Philippine Association of Maritime Institutes (PAMI) met in Manila and forged an agreement for the incorporation of the module in Philippine maritime curriculum. PAMI agreed to incorporate the module in its member-academies, after consulting with appropriate government agencies. ITF and PAMI were looking full-swing incorporation of the module in the country’s maritime institutions by next school year.

Filipino seafarers – officers, ratings and other service providers like gaming officers and staff of cruise ships and other luxury liners, undergo strict medical check-ups before they are issued embarkation clearance, according to Administrator Mejia, adding that professional entertainers as well as cruise ship top-level star hotel-restaurant staff undergo the same process assisted by DOH, POEA and OWWA.

Oca, who is also chairman of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), said the maritime school has received HIV/AIDS prevention training, a “first time” in maritime cadet training in the Asia-Pacific region. This was part of ITF’s global drive to build knowledge in all the major seafarersupplying countries.

In earlier statement, ITF SecretaryGeneral Stephen Cotton pointed out that seafarers and other transport workers were more vulnerable to HIV due to the nature and conditions of their work, but said ITF and its affiliates were committed to help seafarers prevent HIV/AIDS, and ensure their better health and well-being.

Jacqueline Smith, ITF maritime coordinator observed HIV education is essential for all seafarers. She said, “HIV/AIDS behaviour change communications should start when the cadets are young to increase their chances of living and working safe from the disease.

“The ITF Global HIV/AIDS program contingent led by Dr. Asif Altaf and Mr. Steve Trowsdale is truly dedicated to get modules be included in all major maritime institutes and academies in the Philippines, Ukraine, Indonesia and other major seafarer-supplying countries,” she added.

ITF Global HIV/AIDS program group led by coordinator Syed Asif Altaf, dedicated and determined to get modules included in all major maritime institutes and academies in the Philippines, Ukraine, Indonesia and other major seafarer supply countries. “HIV AIDS behavior change communications should start when cadets are young to increase their chances of living and working safe from the disease, she stressed.“Seafarers are highly mobile, predominantly male, worker of sexually active age, who are away from home for long periods, frequent port areas where often, there are sex workers. These working conditions encourage high-risk behaviors and make it harder for seafarers to access information on HIV, medical and related service.

HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer. World Health Organization (WHO) data showed an estimated 39 million people have died since its first cases in were reported in 1981, and 1.5 million people died of AIDS-related causes in 2013. Also in 2013, 35 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, some 3.2 million of them children (15 years old and below). The vast majority of people living with HIV are in low and middle-income countries. The sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with 24.7 million people living with HIV recorded in 2013, and 71 percent of all people who are living with HIV in the world live in this region.

Existing national and regional studies, research shows seafarers as an occupational group, have high rates of HIV infection compared to their population of the community of origin. Research suggests that seafarers as a group, have lower levels of knowledge about HIV transmission and risk factors than the general population.

The latest UNAIDS report said the Philippines is one of the seven countries in the world, where HIV incidence rate increased over the last 12 months. A higher HIV prevalence is likewise recorded in ‘port cities’ than in national population. Ports of higher prevalence rate of HIV includes Vancouver, Canada ; Tema in Ghana, Mumbai in India, Mombasa in Kenya and Odessa in Ukraine.