In May 2022, the OFW Hospital opened its doors and began operating as a primary care facility. Located in San Fernando, Pampanga, it is known as the first and only hospital in the country that offers comprehensive medical services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
Notably, the OFW Hospital was built as a legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration… a tribute to the Philippines’ “bagong bayani” or modern-day heroes. Through this facility, the State is able to provide medical services to OFWs and their families… services that are focused on their health and well-being.
OFW Hospital: Providing Medical Care to OFWs and Their Families
On June 28, 2020, former President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga. Construction of the 100-bed health facility was made possible through the collaboration of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), with support from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., and the Provincial Government of Pampanga.
Vision and Mission
Based on the OFW Hospital official website, the facility is envisioned to be “the center of excellence hospital for the healthcare needs of Filipino overseas workers and their dependents, and the best workplace for healthcare workers.” It is also expected to be “the lead agency in providing pre-employment and post arrival medical examinations in the Philippines.”
Correspondingly, the OFW Hospital’s mission is “to provide holistic, patient-centered healthcare services to OFWs and their dependents.”
Appointments and Walk-Ins
Before going to the OFW hospital, OFWs and/or their families are encouraged to book an appointment through the hospital’s official website. Those with confirmed appointments and “follow-ups” will be accommodated from Mondays to Fridays, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
That being said, “walk-in” patients are also welcome from Mondays to Fridays. They are are advised to go to the hospital between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, to avoid the long queues of those with booked appointments in the morning.
Requirements for OFWs and Dependents
Whether you’re a “walk-in” patient or you have a confirmed appointments, it is necessary to bring some required documents. Here is a list of requirements for OFWs, their spouses, children, parents, and/or siblings:
For the OFW
- Passport or Valid ID of OFW (government-issued)
For Spouse of the OFW
- Passport or Valid ID of OFW (government-issued)
- Marriage Contract
- Valid ID of Spouse
For Children of the OFW
- Passport or Valid ID of OFW (government-issued)
- Birth Certificate of Child (must be 17 years old and below)
- Valid ID or School ID
For Parents of the OFW
- Passport or Valid ID of OFW (government-issued)
- Birth Certificate of Child (OFW)
- Valid ID of Parent (government-issued)
Siblings of the Unmarried OFW
- PSA/LCR Birth Certificate of Sibling (must be 17 years old and below)
- Valid ID of Sibling (government-issued)
- PSA/LCR Birth Certificate of OFW
- Passport or Valid ID of OFW (government-issued)
- PSA CENOMAR of OFW
NOTE: Only one companion per patient is allowed in the hospital’s Out Patient Department (OPD). Children who are 7-years-old are also not allowed inside, unless they are the patient.
Services Offered by OFW Hospital
The OFW Hospital provides a wide range of medical services. Some of these are still either partially or fully being developed, although the list of services offered by the hospital are as follows:
Laboratory Services
The hospital provides the following Hematology tests: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Bleeding Time/Clotting Time (BT/CT), Peripheral Blood Smear, Prothrombin Time (PT), and Activated Partial Thromboplastin (APTT).
Likewise, the hospital conducts Clinical Microscopy tests such as Urinalysis, Fecalysis, Fecal Occult Blood (FOBT), Pregnancy Test, and Rapid Test for Malaria. Its Chemical Chemistry tests include: Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Random Blood Sugar (RBS), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Blood Uric Acid (BUA), Lipid Profile (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL), Creatinine, SGPT (ALT), and SGOT (AST).
With regard to Immunology-Serology tests, the hospital conducts Dengue Testing (Dengue NS1 Antigen and IgG/IgM Antibody), HbsAg Screening, Syphilis Screening, and HIV Screening.
Radiology Diagnostic Imaging
Aside from various laboratory tests, the OFW Hospital also has facilities and equipment for X-Rays, Ultrasound, and CT-Scan.
Internal Medicine
The hospital’s roster of specialists includes doctors specializing in Cardiology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Infectious Diseases, and other health conditions.
Heart Station
To address heart-related conditions, the OFW Hospital has a “Heart Station” where 2D Echo and Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests are done.
Respiratory Therapy
Among the tests, treatments, and services provided in this section are: Pulmonary Function Test, Arterial Blood Gas, Mechanical Ventilation, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Aerosol Therapy, and Oxygen Therapy.
Dentistry
The OFW Hospital provides dental services including Consultation, Simple Tooth Extraction, and Oral Prophylaxis.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following “OB/GYN” services are available at the hospital: Tubal Ligation, Dilatation Curettage, Normal Spontaneous Delivery, Caesarean Section, PAP Smear Clinic, and Family Planning Screening Services.
Surgical Procedures
Specialists at the OFW Hospital conduct a variety of surgical procedures, including: Suturing, Wound Debridement, Incision and Drainage, Simple Excision of Skin and Soft Tissue Masses, Circumcision, Appendectomy (Uncomplicated), Herniotomy, Hemmorhoidectomy, and Open Cholecystectomy.
Other Services and Facilities
The hospital provides other services such as: Emergency Room Services, Outpatient Consultation, Inpatient Admission, Medical Repatriation Services, Pre-Employment Medical Examination (soon), Intensive Care Unit Services (soon), Ambulance and Patient Transport Service, Malasakit Center Services, Minor Surgical Procedures, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Services, Pharmacy, and Blood Station Services.
Moreover, there are specialists in various fields including Family Medicine, Supportive and Palliative Medicine, and Pediatrics.
Video: Filipina Thankful for OFW Hospital
Ms. Emmie Grace Java, an OFW who worked in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, is one of the many patients who have benefited from the OFW Hospital. This video features her story, as shared by the OFW Hospital Facebook page:
Latest Updates
According to its official website, the OFW Hospital recently held the groundbreaking of its new facility: the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. The event was held last December 10, 2024, with President Marcos leading the groundbreaking. Shortly before this, the hospital held a Tree Lighting Ceremony, in commemoration of December as “Migrant Workers Month.”
Contact Information: OFW Hospital
For more information about the OFW Hospital and its services, you can get in touch with them through the following contact details:
Address: Peo Compound, MacArthur Hwy, Barangay Sindalan, San Fernando, Pampanga
Telephone: 09816729754 / 0985-490-1669
Email: ofwhospital@dmw.gov.ph
Website: http://ofwhospital.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OFWHospital/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
OFWs are often called “modern-day heroes” for braving many challenges abroad, just to provide for their families and ultimately contributing to the Philippine economy. Hence, it is only fitting that a hospital has been built to serve them and their families!
Speaking of hospitals, the Department of Health (DOH) is the primary agency responsible for ensuring that all Filipinos have access to basic public health services. Read this article for more information about the DOH and its functions.