We collected the data of known medical repatriations of Filipino seafarers during the years 2010-2012 from the claims and/or legal departments of different manning agencies in Manila. Data requested included age, position, type of ship, dates of embarkation and repatriation, and diagnosis. A total of 3,882 medical repatriation cases for the three-year period were collected representing 202 shipping companies and 1,981 vessels. The total number of deployments for this period was 221,035 Filipino seafarers. The rate of repatriations was calculated at 1.75%. The most common illnesses causing repatriations were also reviewed and analyzed using the ICD-10 classification standards. The most common causes of repatriation were injuries (trauma), musculoskeletal disorders, digestive problems, and genitourinary illnesses. This study attempts to describe a health profile of the Filipino seafarer and may serve as a benchmark in establishing standards of health care and illness/injury prevention. This may also serve as a guide for shipowners on their own crew’s individual health status, especially during their tours of duty. Likewise, these results may help government agencies to formulate policies for health-related issues of the Filipino seafarer and assist pre-employment medical exam doctors to identify and manage conditions that are at a high risk of medical repatriation.
