MOF Announces Survey Results on Occupational Diseases and Injuries Among Fishermen

 

Average incidence of occupational diseases among fishermen at 5.7%, average incidence of injuries at 2.2%

 

Non-face-to-face island doctors, fishery safety and health centers, and specialized health checkups to be provided to reduce the occurrence of diseases among fishermen.

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) released the results of the Survey on Occupational Diseases and Injuries among Fishermen, which was conducted to identify the damage status and establish preventive policies.

 

 First, the disease incidence rate among fishermen (more than 1 day off from work per year) decreased by 0.4%p to an average of 5.7% compared to the previous year. The most common disease was musculoskeletal disease—accounting for 34.3%—and the main body part where musculoskeletal disease occurred was the shoulder (22.1%) followed by the waist (19.6%) and knee (14.9%). The most common factor that caused or worsened occupational diseases was repetitive motions (20.7%).

 

 The occupational injury rate (more than 1 day off from work per year) for fishermen was 2.2% on average—up 0.1%p from the previous year—and the most common type of injury was falling (slips or trips) during work at 61.4%.

 

 Detailed information on occupational diseases and injuries among fishermen is available on the National Statistical Portal website (www.kosis.kr).

 

 MOF operates the Fishing Vessel Safety and Health Center* to enhance fishermen’s safety and health by conducting disease research, prevention programs, and medical services. The Ministry is also implementing this year the non-face-to-face island doctor, a telemedicine service for fishermen in 200 remote island regions.

 

 * Designated institutions: Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, and Chosun University Hospital.

 

 ** A non-face-to-face medical program to resolve healthcare gaps for fishermen in island areas

 

 Additionally, MOF subsidizes 90% of specialized health checkup costs for female fishermen aged 51 or older to enable early disease detection and treatment.

 

 This year, the Ministry plans to utilize hospital ships and mobile screening buses to improve accessibility for female fishermen in remote islands with low accessibility, thereby ensuring more convenient checkups.

 

 “Health management for fishermen is very important to maintain the function of fishing villages and improve the quality of life of fishermen. We urge fishermen to make an effort to ensure safety and health to prevent occupational diseases and injuries, and the government will actively implement policies to improve the quality of life in fishing villages such as supporting specialized health checkups," Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.