Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association Launch Maritime Medical Collaboration

To implement the requirements of the ILO C188 Convention and the Fisheries and Human Rights Action Plan regarding “fishermen’s health and safety,” Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, the Kaohsiung City Marine Bureau, and the Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association jointly held the Telemedicine and Onboard Medical Collaboration Forum on the afternoon of October 29 at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital.

The event focused on discussions and cooperation surrounding medical care mechanisms for distant-water fishing vessels, exploring how telemedicine can enhance safety and healthcare for crews working at sea and charting future directions for its development.

Chairman Huang Yi-Mao emphasized that working at sea is highly unpredictable and hazardous. Fishing grounds are often far from home ports, with limited access to medical resources—making the establishment of an emergency medical support system an urgent priority. He noted that this challenge extends beyond upgrading hardware; it also requires strengthening software systems and logistical coordination.

Chairman Huang explained that July–August and November–December are typically the months when distant-water fishing vessels return to port for maintenance. During these periods, the company arranges health checkups for crew members. If any fisherman is found to have a medical condition or potential health risk, the fishermen’s association and vessel owners coordinate with recruitment agencies to ensure timely treatment and proper care.

Chairman Huang further shared that the true key to advancing telemedicine lies in “seizing the golden window for emergency care.” When accidents occur at sea and fishermen suffer injuries, onboard medical rooms and basic supplies can provide only limited first aid—such as stopping bleeding or administering medication—since there is no doctor onboard to perform surgeries or suturing. “We hope to jointly develop a program that allows captains and other officers to undergo hospital training during port stays, learning essential medical procedures like hemorrhage control and wound treatment, which would greatly improve their ability to respond to emergencies at sea.”

The forum brought together physicians from multiple departments of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, with Dr. Chen Ru-Yi, Director of the Telemedicine Care Center, presenting a detailed proposal for future development. Moving forward, the Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital plan to further refine their collaboration model.

Through the joint efforts of government agencies, industry representatives, and the medical community, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for migrant fishermen. By expanding the use of telemedicine in fishing operations, the partnership seeks to build a health network that upholds both human rights and labor safety—laying a stronger foundation for the sustainable growth of Taiwan’s distant fishery.