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Referring to its previous direct request, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government which indicates that the basic health card continues to be the only one in use and to be a requirement throughout the national territory. It also contains the examinations provided for in the basic medical form as well as those relating to the specific activity concerned, in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Public Health. With respect to consultations with shipowners' and seafarers' organizations (Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention), the Government indicates that the National Maritime Authority is in the process of preparing drafts providing for a health card for seafarers and that the relevant consultations with said organizations concerning the specific examinations envisaged for this sector have taken place. However, due to the complexity of the subject and the relevant consultations with the professional organizations of the sector, the preparations of drafts providing for such a card have not been completed. In addition, the Government indicates that it has not included a test for HIV among the examinations for obtaining the health card, following the recommendations of the Pan-American Organization of Health, the World Health Organization and the Third Iberian-American Conference of Ministers of Health in this respect.

The Committee requests the Government to provide information regarding the completion of the draft instrument based on Decree No. 651/90 regarding a health card for seafarers being prepared by the National Maritime Authority and to furnish the Office with a sample of the health card for seafarers adopted in accordance with the new instrument.