About International conference and 36th Session of CAAC IAC

International conference and 36th Session of Coordinative Advisory Aeromedical Council of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC CAAC) on issues: coordination and harmonisation of states and international organizations activities aimed at public health threats prevention and management, counteraction of aviation and public health authorities upon civil aviation medical support, prolongation of career longevity and development of flight safety level in general were held in Minsk, the Republic of Belarus on May 23-27, 2016. 

IAC CAAC members, representatives of aviation authorities and Departments of Health of the Azerbaijan Republic, Republic of Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Health Organization (WHO), CIS Executive Committee, European Society of Aerospace Medicine (ESAM) and leading aviation companies, scientific, educational and medical institutions of the Comonwealth states participated in the forum session

First Deputy of the of the Minister of Health Pinevich Dmitry Leonidovich on behalf of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Belarus Zharko Vasily congratulated forum participants on activities initiation. He emphasized in his speech that aviation medicine of the Comonwealth states having more than century-old history successfully ensures high level of flight safety. IAC CAAC activity, exchange of best practices between forum participants not only maintains but increases domestic aviation medicine achivements as well. Enhancing and deepening of international cooperation joinly by aviation organizations and public health authorities will allow to prevent public health threats as examplified by CAPSCA Program which is also going to be joined by the Republic of Belarus. Pinevich D.L on behalf of the Department of Health and on his own behalf wished the forum participants constructive effort and professional success.    

Georgy Aleksandrovich Narushevich, Advisor to the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation, General Political, and Social Problems of the CIS Executive Committee, emphasized the efficient work of the Interstate Aviation Committee and the CIS Executive Committee in developing and implementing regulatory documentation on medical support for civil aviation in the Commonwealth. He expressed confidence in the importance of such meetings for consolidating the efforts of relevant government structures of the Commonwealth states and international organizations, as well as for enhancing flight safety and preventing threats to public health.

IAC CAAC Chairman Ivashov S.N. presented the main report "The role of IAC CAAC in establishing common guidelines of civil aviation aeromedical support of the contracting states of the Agreement on Civil Aviation and Use of Airspace". Representatives of the Commonwealth states were briefed on the issues and objectives in the field of aviation medicine discussed at the 35th session of the Interstate Council on Aviation and Use of Airspace (Interstate Council). A report was presented on the implementation of decisions of the Interstate Council and the IAC CAAC by the IAC Department of Aviation Medicine Coordination and Development, and future work prospects were proposed.  It was emphasized that civil aviation in the States Parties to the Agreement currently operates in a dynamic environment, with new ICAO and WHO International Standards and Recommended Practices being implemented in many areas of healthcare and civil aviation, and new international threats to public life and health emerging. All this requires coordination of actions by states and international organizations aimed at expanding the capacity to prevent and manage public health threats in civil aviation, enhancing regional cooperation, interaction between health authorities and aviation authorities to mobilize resources in order to achieve priorities in the field of medical support for flight safety, and revising and standardizing the regulatory framework for light medical support.  

E.A. Katman, a representative of the European Society of Aerospace Medicine (ESAM), informed forum participants about the society's activities aimed at maintaining high flight safety standards, strengthening social rights, and improving the quality of employment for pilots. His presentation was focused on reducing the risk of substance abuse among crew members and pilots through psychological (psychiatric) assessment and dynamic monitoring.

In his report, Dr. Ansa Jordan, Head of the ICAO Aviation Medical Branch, analyzed the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) and emphasized that the initiatives of the Commonwealth States and the IAC to join CAPSCA will contribute to maintaining public health and the development of civil aviation in States.

In his speech, V.A. Essenmanov, Technical International Specialist for Health Regulations at the WHO European Regional Office, emphasized the need for intersectoral cooperation aimed at ensuring public health security, the platform for which is the International Health Regulations, which are legally binding for all States of the world.

The forum participants considered issues of medical support for civil aviation in the States Parties to the Agreement in accordance with the Program.

In order to consolidate the efforts of the aviation community and health authorities of the Commonwealth of Independent States in implementing the global mechanism of the ICAO-WHO Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA), harmonizing the system and regulatory documents in the field of medical support for flight safety and adjusting them to international requirements, members of the IAC CAAC proposed creating a Working Group on a permanent basis within the CIS Healthcare Council to develop specific proposals in this area.

During the work, the issues discussed at previous sessions of the Coordination Council were further developed, and the need for the rapid implementation in the Commonwealth states of the Aviation Regulations "Medical Requirements for Clearance for Work Related to Harmful and (or) Hazardous Factors in Civil Aviation", approved and recommended for practical implementation by the CIS Healthcare Cooperation Council and Interstate Council, was emphasized.

The forum program included a variety of events where aviation medicine specialists were able to exchange opinions, learn about advanced medical diagnostic equipment, new psychophysiological testing technologies, and provide support to operators in the practical implementation of the CAPSCA program and on-board assistance.

A workshop was held jointly by the IAC CAAC and the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus. IAC CAAC members and conference participants were provided with information on Institute's training, laboratory, and educational facilities, achievements in training aviation personnel for emergency situations and aircraft safety, and innovative approaches to educational technologies. Training sessions were also held with Belavia Airlines personnel on developing preparedness for managing and preventing public health incidents, and a demonstration of how airport emergency services and the Ministry of Emergency Situations can collaborate in responding to aviation incidents was presented. Participants were able to discuss educational approaches and identify practical areas for improving training programs for specialists from various services aimed at enhancing flight safety.

During the International Conference and the activities of the IAC CAAC, participants reached an understanding of the need to consolidate efforts to expand regional cooperation with international organizations in the management of public health threats and flight safety medical support.

The forum was held in a friendly and warm atmosphere, with a high level of professionalism and organization among the participants. Particular gratitude was expressed to the organizers for the opportunity to learn about the history of Minsk and visit the heroic sites of the Patriotic War of 1812 in the area of Borisovo town. All participants felt huge embodiment of generosity of the Belarusian people.

Following the forum, the IAC CAAC decisions were taken and approved by the Council members.

The materials of the international conference and the CAAC were focused on upgrading aviation medical support, proficiency level of aviation physicians, maintaining the health of civil aviation specialists, and prolongation of their career logevity in order to develop flight safety.