Philippine Government to Provide Free Medical Check-Ups for Overseas Workers
The initiative, facilitated by the Aksyon Fund, aims to support the health needs of millions of Overseas Filipino Workers worldwide.
The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to offer free annual medical check-ups for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including those residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This initiative was announced by DMW Minister Hans Leo Cacdac during a recent Senate inquiry addressing issues related to irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged malpractice by some clinics in the Philippines.
The free medical check-ups will be funded through the Aksyon Fund, known formally as Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan, which serves as a financial support mechanism for OFWs requiring urgent assistance while abroad.
Cacdac confirmed that the initiative will encompass routine health monitoring for OFWs throughout their deployment as well as before their repatriation.
In the Senate session, Senator Raffy Tulfo highlighted the necessity for the DMW to formalize this initiative through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) to enhance oversight and regulation of medical clinics responsible for conducting health clearances for OFWs.
Tulfo emphasized that medical facilities should coordinate with the DOH to secure the required approvals.
As of now, it is estimated that there are approximately 15 million OFWs globally, with a significant concentration in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, where around 450,000 Filipinos are believed to reside.
The contributions of OFWs are vital to the Philippine economy, represented by a record $38.34 billion in remittances sent back to the Philippines in the past year, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year’s $37.21 billion.
Key remittance sources include the United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the UAE.
This initiative was announced by DMW Minister Hans Leo Cacdac during a recent Senate inquiry addressing issues related to irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged malpractice by some clinics in the Philippines.
The free medical check-ups will be funded through the Aksyon Fund, known formally as Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan, which serves as a financial support mechanism for OFWs requiring urgent assistance while abroad.
Cacdac confirmed that the initiative will encompass routine health monitoring for OFWs throughout their deployment as well as before their repatriation.
In the Senate session, Senator Raffy Tulfo highlighted the necessity for the DMW to formalize this initiative through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) to enhance oversight and regulation of medical clinics responsible for conducting health clearances for OFWs.
Tulfo emphasized that medical facilities should coordinate with the DOH to secure the required approvals.
As of now, it is estimated that there are approximately 15 million OFWs globally, with a significant concentration in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, where around 450,000 Filipinos are believed to reside.
The contributions of OFWs are vital to the Philippine economy, represented by a record $38.34 billion in remittances sent back to the Philippines in the past year, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year’s $37.21 billion.
Key remittance sources include the United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the UAE.
