SAN FERNANDO: The OFW Hospital is set to reach more people as it expands services beyond overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
According to Philippines News Agency, on Tuesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) 3 (Central Luzon), Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), and the provincial government of Pampanga. This agreement will allow a wider reach for medical care to Pampanga residents and the general public.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda led the signing during the DMW Bagong Pilipinas OFW Caravan at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center in San Fernando. The DMW emphasized in a media release that this agreement is a collective commitment to provide quality health care services to patients, including not only OFWs and their families but also other constituents of Pampanga.
Initially established exclusively for OFWs and their families, the OFW Hospital is introducing a 60:40 patient ratio under the new memorandum of agreement. This ensures that 60 percent of patients are OFWs and their dependents, while 40 percent are non-OFW residents of Pampanga requiring medical care. Under the agreement, the provincial government of Pampanga will deploy medical specialists to the hospital, while JBLMGH doctors will conduct regular consultations. Additionally, the DOH will fund infrastructure improvements through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda expressed gratitude to the DMW and its partner agencies for bringing essential health care services to the province’s residents. Since its establishment in 2022, the OFW Hospital has served more than 86,000 patients, offering services ranging from consultations and laboratory tests to specialized medical treatments. The hospital is a flagship program initiated by the late DMW Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople, aiming to make health care services accessible to OFWs and their families.
In December 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bagong Pilipinas – OFW Hospital Cancer Care Center, a response to the rising cases of cancer in the country. Meanwhile, Cacdac reassured OFWs that the hospital remains dedicated to their needs, regardless of how long they have been back in the country.