The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is planning to expand the services of the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga. DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac mentioned in a recent interview that this move is aimed at offering services beyond the OFW Hospital. Last year, the hospital attended to more than 86,000 OFWs, with 41,805 receiving medical treatment and 41,855 utilizing services like radiology, cardiology, respiratory care, and laboratory tests.
The OFW Hospital, established in 2022, currently serves over 160 patients daily. The DMW's plan includes increasing the hospital's capacity to transform it into a tertiary medical facility. Moreover, they are set to introduce a Cancer Care Center by the following year. Cacdac emphasized the goal of expanding services and facilities by enhancing the hospital's bed capacity and providing additional medical facilities like a dialysis center.
In addition to the hospital expansion, the DMW is contemplating the idea of setting up clinics in shopping malls nationwide. These clinics will enable medical services to reach OFWs located beyond the vicinity of the existing OFW Hospital. The proposal involves creating branches or units in malls, akin to the current organization of small health units in shopping centers. The ultimate aim is to increase the number of beds from the existing 50 and enhance service delivery to patients.
The initiative to extend medical services to OFWs by establishing clinics in malls underscores the government's unwavering dedication to ensuring that migrant workers have access to essential healthcare regardless of their location. This strategic move symbolizes a step towards meeting the diverse healthcare needs of OFWs across the country.
