The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) announced yesterday that it has launched a service regarding medical examinations and medical certifications for seafarers.
The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Al Ahmadani Medical Centre in that regard. The centre will provide medical examinations and fitness reports for seafarers and people working on board vessels in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978), its amendments and with the endorsement of Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health.
Commenting on the signing, MoTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr Saleh bin Fetais al-Marri said that “these services are a part of MoTCs strategy for planning and developing the maritime transport sector to ensure that the requirements of international conventions in force are met.”
Such services, he added, would contribute to enhancing the functioning of Qatar’s commercial and industrial ports globally with a view to promoting the Qatari maritime sector to the international ranking it deserves.
He said that the centre has all the required medical and technical capabilities as well as qualifications and approvals from the bodies concerned to be in charge of performing medical examinations and issuing fitness reports for seafarers and those working on board vessels.
Officials of the transport ministry and Al Ahmadani Medical Centre exchange documents after signing the MoU.
