Venereal Disease Among Seafarers Visiting an Eastern Seaport

Abstract

Many shipping companies do not take full advantage of the facilities afforded to seamen for free examination and treatment where necessary of venereal disease by the port VD Clinics who are specially trained for the purpose : 'Non-venereal' cases accounted for over 40 per cent of the seamen attending the, clinic, indicating their concern about venereal diseases and the necessity of establishing venereal disease clinics at every seaport. A general health card for seafarers is desirable but until this comes into force the importance of the personal booklet should be emphasized. Training given to chief officers and other non-medical personnel regarding diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease is inadequate and steps should be taken to remedy this. It should be possible, without excessive additional expenditure, to establish venereal disease clinics in ports not providing such facilities by utilizing staff of the nearest available VD clinic on part time basis.