President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his visit in Germany last March, assured Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that the government is working tirelessly to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.
He said the current administration strives to protect their rights and welfare, and empower their well-being through various programs and initiatives.
It continues to improve the provision of health services to the country’s modern-day heroes through the OFW Hospital.
A well-deserved service for a modern hero
After spending about 20 years as a store worker in Brunei, 53-year-old Marivic Morales went back to the Philippines in 2022 to seek medication for her various illnesses.
Doctors advised her to stop working after being diagnosed with blood disorders, and kidney stones. She was also told that she can be permanently disabled if the numbness that she feels in her arms continues.
Undergoing lots of medications and a kidney surgery was not the end of the suffering for Morales. Soon after, she was found to have a bump in her cervix.
Desperate for help amid financial losses and health struggles, she travelled from Quezon City to the City of San Fernando in Pampanga to seek aid at the OFW Hospital.
“When I found out that I have another bump that needs to be removed, I went here, and I was happy because it can be operated on. I am glad because when I came here, it was really free,” she narrated.
Morales, the first patient of the OFW Hospital, got the bump in her cervix removed immediately and at no cost.
“We are very lucky because this became fully operational. I wish that there is a hospital like this in all parts of the Philippines because this is not only for OFWs, but also for your parents, your children,” she said.
Morales is just one of the many beneficiaries of the OFW Hospital, the first of its kind in the country that caters specifically to migrant workers and their dependents.
Two years after being opened in May 2022, the facility presently boasts of improved services that can be availed for free.
Healthcare services for OFWs and their dependents
Medical Center Chief Ralph Julius Mendoza highlighted that the hospital caters to the healthcare needs of active and inactive OFWs.
Other qualified beneficiaries include the OFW’s legal spouse and minor children. Parents who rely primarily upon the OFW for support, and their minor siblings (if the OFW is single) may also avail the services of the hospital.
As proof, OFWs who seek to get healthcare services must bring their passport, valid identification (ID) cards, and other supporting documents such as their work contract.
Requirements for dependents include valid IDs and marriage contract for spouse; school ID and birth certificate for minor children; valid IDs and birth certificate for parents; and valid IDs, birth certificate and certificate of no marriage of the OFW for minor siblings. These should have attached copies of the passport and valid IDs of the OFW.
Currently, the OFW Hospital is a 50-bed capacity Level I specialty hospital that offers various services for medical, surgical, obstetric, and gynecological cases.
Its Outpatient Department is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Urgent Care Unit, on the other hand, offers services every day from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Other features and services of the facility include operating and delivery rooms, pediatric ward, neonatal intensive care unit, x-ray, computed tomography scan, ultrasound, heart station, respiratory therapy section, and blood station.
In addition to these, the OFW Hospital provides dental services every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Telemedicine or teleconsultation services are also available for selected cases such as those with COVID-19 symptoms, and as follow-up with patients from remote areas.
The hospital accepts walk-in clients, but those with prior appointments are being prioritized.
Those who will seek consultations may book an appointment through www.ofwhospital.info. They may also contact mobile numbers 0981-672-9754 or 0985-490-1669.
Mendoza shared that the hospital was able to cater about 36,000 patients in 2023.
“We expect that more people will benefit for the improved services of the hospital. We are always ready to help our fellows in need of medical services,” he added.
The construction of the OFW Hospital was the government’s way of thanking migrant workers for their critical role in upholding the Filipino identity in the global community.
Given their valuable contributions to the country’s progress, it is only fitting that these modern-day heroes have access to free and quality healthcare services nowhere but in their own country – their home. (CLJD/JLDC,PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
