In a statement, DMW Secretary Susan Ople on Friday, March 10, 2023, said they will embark on a mission to make it the “center of excellence” for the healthcare needs of OFWs and their dependents.
“The OFW Hospital’s mission is to provide holistic patient-centered healthcare services to OFWs and their dependents,” said Ople.
“The health of every migrant worker must never be compromised because decent work and human dignity and basic human rights, includes the right to life, and the right to a healthy future,” she added.
Since opening its out-patient clinics last May 2022, Ople noted how the OFW Hospital has already grown into a seven-storey medical facility by having a 102-bed capacity.
“It is now classified as a secondary level medical facility,” said Ople.
So far, it has served more than 11,000 patients, including 15 minor surgeries and delivered two baby boys.
The hospital has also received 483 patients in its Out-Patient Unit, of which 387 were admitted and/or given urgent care.
Ople said the OFW Hospital also operates its own pharmacy, which provides the medications and drugs needed hy patients.
The DMW said that currently in the pipeline are the acquisition of an MRI and digital mammography, along wirh the establishment of a hemodialysis unit and expansion of its cardiology services.
To recall, Executive Order No. 154 signed last December 7, 2021 called for the creation of the OFW Hospital under the watch of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
In January, the DMW took over the operation of the OFW Hospital from DOLE. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)