Aviation Medicine is a medical specialty that combines aspects of preventive, occupational, environmental and clinical medicine with the physiology and psychology of man in flight. It is concerned with the health and safety of those who fly, both crew and passengers, as well as the selection and performance of those who hold aviation licenses.
Aviation can contribute to the rapid dissemination of communicable diseases – almost any city can be reached within 24 hours. Passenger numbers are significantly reduced by public health emergencies, reducing income to national economies well as to airline and supporting companies. Aviation Medicine contributes to the mitigation and management of such health risks and other public health events, such as radionuclear and chemical accidents.
The Aviation Medicine Section works in close collaboration with UN agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as international non-governmental organizations such as International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airport Council International (ACI) It also cooperates and consults with the Chief Medical Officers of civil aviation authorities around the world and the Medical Directors of airline companies.
Dr Ansa Jordaan, Chief of Aviation Medicine Section of ICAO, conducted the workshop as the leading resource person with the support of several other ICAO subject matter experts, who provided updates relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the Aviation Medical Examiners and Assessors. The workshop was also supported by presentations and case studies from Australia, China, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka as well as by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine (IAASM).
There were 46 participants from 11 States and six Aviation Organizations who attended the two-day workshop.