Section 18(1) in The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2016
(1)The ship owner shall adopt such measures for providing protection of health and medical care, including essential dental care, at no cost to the seafarers, for seafarers working on board a ship which -(a)ensure the application to seafarers, of any general provisions on occupational protection of health and medical care relevant to their duties, and of special provisions specific to work on board ship whilst working on board;(b)ensure that seafarers are given protection of health and medical care including prompt access to the necessary medicines, medical equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Medicine, Medical stores appliances and First Aid Equipment) Rules, 1994, and facilities for diagnosis and treatment and to medical information and expertise;(c)give seafarers the right to visit a qualified medical practitioner or dentist without delay in ports of call, where practicable, at no cost to the seafarer;(d)ensure that medical care and protection of health services while a seafarer is on board ship or landed in a foreign port are provided free of charge to seafarers; and are not limited to treatment of sick or injured seafarers but include measures of a preventive character such as health promotion and health education programmes.
