The South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 9th that it is enhancing its 24-hour free remote medical support service for crew members on coastal vessels such as fishing boats and cargo ships. Starting in 2023, the ministry has collaborated with Busan National University Hospital to provide medical services including health management and emergency care through video calls on vessels equipped with remote medical support devices. In the previous year alone, 1,877 medical support cases were provided to crews working on 127 vessels, indicating the significance and utility of the service in addressing health needs at sea.

The remote medical support system consists of tablets with dedicated applications, medical devices, and emergency medications to facilitate video consultations. Crew members can enter health metrics, book consultations, and check results through the app. In a notable expansion this year, the service will also be available to foreign crew members working on coastal vessels, with support now extending to 20 languages, including Vietnamese and Indonesian. The initiative will add 10 more vessels to the program through public recruitment, increasing the total number of vessels benefiting from the service to 137, with applications to be announced on the Busan National University Hospital's website this month.

A representative from the Ministry emphasized the importance of timely medical support for crew members who spend long periods at sea, noting that rapid medical responses can often be challenging due to geographical limitations. The expansion of remote medical support services aims to enhance medical accessibility for both domestic and foreign crew members, thereby improving working conditions in the maritime sector. Such initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the health and welfare needs of seafarers, particularly in an industry often overlooked in healthcare considerations.