THS, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIA AND THE MARITIME WORLD
As everyone else, by mid-March 2020 this Global Health Catastrophe caught us by surprise. The maritime world and the Republic of Panama in general and our company in particular, realize that ships MUST continue to connect countries. A great sacrifice was paid by seafarers who overnight had n this grim seating, in close coordination with local Health Authorities and Steamship Companies, TRANSISTHMIAN HEALTH SERVICES, within strict safety protocols issued by local Maritime Health Authorities, using as a working frame reference recently issued IMO guidelines on the matter, developed processes and tools to provide COVID-19 PCR testing on board ships with results within 12 hours in order to monitorize positive cases with on-site ship visits.
When case required so by its complexity, follow up and transportation, following isolation protocols to our hospital facilities in COVID-19 special wards, was done, were our multidisciplinary medical team attended them. Extensive experience in this field has been acquired. to stay on their ships beyond their contract time and movement restriction in ports were imposed on them. In addition, there was no option for crew changes.
Movement limitations on disembarking ill-crew were in effect, and Health Authorities were dealing with the fact that these human beings were in high risk due to Health restrictions in effect.
In addition, COVID-19 free premises at our installations at the HOSPITAL are in operation at this moment, providing medical and dental services 24/7 to seafarers that requires them, following a coordinated safety protocol with local health authorities and steamship companies.
Before opening of regular commercial flights, the REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, aware of his responsibility to keep moving strategic resources, in this case SEAFARERS, developed in coordination with some airlines, transportation protocols with humanitarian flights that required on-time COVID-19 PCR test results, which would allow this men a safe passage through their various destinations within a time frame.
With recent Panama´s airport opening, starting October 12th 2020, new regulations for OFF SIGNERS Antigen test result presentation, within 48 hours of their arrival to migration points at local piers have been timely executed with onboard crew swabbing in coordination with local steamship agents, allowing a swift transfer from the ship to their repatriation flight.
TRANSISTHMIAN HEALTH SERVICES in coordination with some local steamship agents, to comply with the seafarers movement process timeline, developed a COVID-19 PCR/ANTIGEN testing program 24/7 were it were required: On board ships in both, Pacific and Atlantic sides, local seafarers isolation lodgings or at COVID 19 free premises at the Hospital.
Tests reports usually were issued by 12 hours, for PCR tests and 2 hours for Antigen tests, allowing an almost regular movement of ON-SIGNERS AND OFF SIGNERS crew.
If information on this subject is required, don´t hesitate in contact us through our web-page, that we´ll gladly answer you.
Jorge Townshend MD
Medical Director
Testing, transportation, isolation protocols and hospitalization
In this grim seating, in close coordination with local Health Authorities and Steamship Companies, TRANSISTHMIAN HEALTH SERVICES, within strict safety protocols issued by local Maritime Health Authorities, using as a working frame reference recently issued IMO guidelines on the matter, developed processes and tools to provide COVID-19 PCR testing on board ships with results within 12 hours in order to monitorize positive cases with on-site ship visits.
When case required so by its complexity, follow up and transportation, following isolation protocols to our hospital facilities in COVID-19 special wards, was done, were our multidisciplinary medical team attended them. Extensive experience in this field has been acquired.