CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital has been accredited as a Level 2 hospital by the Department of Health (DOH), marking a major milestone in the government’s continuing efforts to enhance healthcare services for migrant workers and their families.
The Level 2 License to Operate, issued by the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, allows the OFW Hospital to increase its authorized bed capacity to 72 from 50 under its previous Level 1 classification, and to operate one Type 2 ambulance.
OFW Hospital OIC-Medical Center Chief Patrick Louie Maglaya said that with the upgrade, the hospital can now provide more comprehensive and specialized medical services including an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), operating and delivery rooms, pharmacy services, radiology, computed tomography (CT) scan, heart station, and lung station.
He explained that the facility initially operated as a Level 1 infirmary, similar to DOH district hospitals, which primarily focused on providing basic and primary healthcare services.
“Ang Level 1 ay kadalasang walang ICU at limitado ang serbisyo, ngunit malaking tulong pa rin ito sa primary healthcare. Ngayon ay iniakyat na sa Level 2 ang OFW Hospital kung saan mayroon na tayong ICU at special care units para matugunan ang mas komplikadong mga kaso,” Maglaya said.
He added that the long-term vision for the OFW Hospital is to reach Level 3 status by 2027, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
“Ang Level 3 ay may research at training kung saan ang mga doktor ay nagasasanay na sa ating mga ospital para makapag-pa-graduate ng mga lisensyadong doktor sa kanilang mga specialty,” Maglaya said.
As part of its expanded services, the OFW Hospital is also strengthening healthcare access beyond its main facility through the establishment of clinics under the Sigla Wellness Center initiative.
Maglaya said clinics have already been opened at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Building in Makati, with additional sites being planned at the DMW Central Office in Ortigas and the National Reintegration Center along Agham Road, allowing OFWs to access healthcare services without traveling to Pampanga.
In preparation for the hospital’s expanded services and the planned establishment of a Cancer Care Center and dialysis services, the OFW Hospital has also intensified its blood donation drive in partnership with the Jose B, Lingad Memorial General Hospital and the Philippine Blood Network.
“Sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, nakaipon tayo ng mahigit 400 bags ng dugo at nakatulong ito sa humigit-kumulang 60 hanggang 70 pasyente na nangangailangan ng blood transfusion,” Maglaya said.
Among the hospital’s short-term plans is the strengthening of its role as a medical facility for OFWs, particularly in conducting health assessments to ensure migrant workers are physically and mentally fit before deployment abroad.
The OFW Hospital is also coordinating with other DOH hospitals nationwide to strengthen OFW wards and expand access to healthcare services for migrant workers, while wellness clinics are being planned in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, including in airport lounges.
Maglaya stressed that the OFW Hospital remains open to serve OFWs and their families, and assured that emergency cases even for non-OFWs are not refused in compliance with the Universal Healthcare Law.
“Sa mga OFWs, ito ang inyong ospital at tahanan ng inyong kalusugan. Bukas po ito hindi lamang para sa inyo kundi pati para sa inyong pamilya,” he said, urging OFWs to also bring their families to avail of healthcare services.(CLJD/MJSC,PIA Region 3 -Pampanga)
