Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency ( NIMASA) says it has commenced a two day Medical Certification Workshop specifically designed for seafarers in the maritime industry in the country.
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh made the disclosure in his keynote address presented at the workshop in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Dr. Jamoh who was represented at the occasion by the Director Administration and Human Resources, Hamisu Gambo, said the aimed of the workshop was to provide invaluable knowledge and practical insights into the medical requirements and certifications necessary for those who work at the sea.
According to him, the ability to maintained high medical standards and certifications is not a legal requirements adding that is crucial for safeguarding the lives of those who dedicate their careers to the sea.
” The workshop has been carefully curated to address the pressing concerns faced by rejection of medical certificates issued to seaferers by some facilities resulting from series of irregularities and lack of adherence to the prescribed guidelines” , Jamoh said.
Also speaking, one of the health providers hospital approved by NIMASA, Dr. Emmanuel Egboh who double as the Medical Director Twins Clinic & Hospital Warri , Delta State enjoined his colleagues to be ethical and principle in conducting certifications stressing that life at the sea is not the same as those who work on land due to peculiar nature of their jobs.
He urged them to maintained standard and principles of stipulated by NIMASA which he said has also followed lnternational Maritime Organisation guidelines.
He warned them to avoid cutting corners but to ensure that their certificates can be verified anywhere in the world due to high standards expected of them.
