Medicines Chest Consultation & Inspection

Medicines Chest Consultation Overview

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Every vessel engaged in maritime navigation should be required to carry a medicines chest consultation, the contents of which should be prescribed by the competent authority, taking into account such factors as the number of persons on board, and the nature and the duration of the voyage.

Special provision should be made for the custody, by the master or other responsible officer, of medicaments the use of which is restricted. The rules and regulations concerning the minimum contents of the medicine chests should apply whether there is a ship’s doctor on board or not.

All medicine chests should contain a medical guide approved by the competent authority, which explains fully how the contents of the Medicines Chest Consultation are to be used.

The guide should be sufficiently detailed to enable persons other than a ship’s doctor to administer to the needs of sick or injured persons on board both with and without supplementary medical advice by radio.

The Medicines Chest Consultation rules and regulations should provide for the proper maintenance and care of medicine chests and their contents and their regular inspection at intervals not normally exceeding 12 months by persons authorised by the competent authority.

IDEAL NAUTICARE SDN BHD was established in February 2015 in response to Malaysian Marine Department announcement to enforce the Malaysia Shipping Notice 8/2013.

The aim is to ensure that all vessels sailing under Malaysian flag has a certificate of adequacy of the Medicine Chest.

Our responsibility and core service are to serve and help shipowners to confirm to the requirement and specifications as outlined in the International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS 3rd ed.).

Shall it be required, we will be able to assist the shipowners to get certification of their Medicines Chest Consultation from scratch. To date, a total of more than 500 vessels has been inspected and obtained their Medical Chest Certificate.

Content of Medicine Chest

Except for ships carrying dangerous goods, the content of a ship’s medicine chest is not mandated through any statutory requirement to which the Administrator is a party.

However, guidance on the medicines and medical supplies that should be maintained on board is provided in the International Medical Guide for Ships and its Quantification Addendum published by the WHO.

Our Promise

We conduct inspections and facilitate certifications of all merchant vessels hospitals, including the IMDG Poison Treatment Chest. Our Medicines Chest Consultation inspectors are well versed on all law and regulations related to medicine chest.

Therefore, we provide the best consultation while helping you save cost without jeopardizing the safety of your crew on board.

International Medical Guide for Ships, 3rd Edition

Provides complete information and advice for non-medical seafarers faced with injury or disease on board ship.

The second edition has been completely revised and up-dated in the light of scientific progress and developments in seafaring.

New features include chapters dealing with pregnancy and women’s medical problems, advice on the medical care of castaways and rescued persons, guidance in obtaining external assistance in case of serious health problems at sea, and an alert to the diseases commonly found in fishermen.

For easy reference, some 60 diseases and medical problems, ranging from abdominal pain to stroke and paralysis, have been selected and arranged in alphabetical order in a single chapter.

The new edition also features medical advice for ships carrying toxic chemicals, including the first-aid treatment of poisoning, and a completely updated list of medicines and surgical supplies recommended for the ships Medicines Chest Consultation.

Creating the Sickbay Environment

When the sea-goer, or patient, has a health complaint, it may range from a minor problem, such as a common head cold, to a more serious problem, such as appendicitis.

The environment in which the patient is cared for should be a quiet spot, away from the main corridor of activity and noise; yet visible at all times to those caring for the patient.

The ambient temperature should be comfortable. It should be away from any areas where noxious fumes may be present. Preferably, the area should also be a relatively safe spot, that is, an area not near the storage of gasoline or explosives, especially if oxygen is needed in the care of the patient.

The area should be well-lit allowing observation of any changes in skin-color or behavior, yet an area which will allow the patient to obtain needed rest as well.

The environment should contain an area where the patient can lie down, if needed.

If a formal sickbay is available, clean linens and blankets should be part of the standard equipment. Other standard equipment should include thermometers (both one for routine fever measurement and a rectal thermometer capable of low readings), blood pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, flashlight, gloves and lubricant, reflex hammer, several washbasins, (with water supply) and scale.