By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is strengthening its healthcare services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families with a three-day surgical, medical and optical mission from Feb. 18 to 20 at the OFW Hospital in Pampanga.
In a news release Thursday, the DMW said First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos joined Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa during the program launch on Wednesday.
The DMW said the activity, in partnership with the Makati Medical Center Foundation, aims to provide free healthcare services for OFWs, their families, and other beneficiaries from underserved sectors.
“Nagbigay ang medical mission ng libreng minor at selected elective major surgical procedures tulad ng thyroidectomy, cholecystectomy, excision, varicocelectomy, at piling OB cases, pati na rin ng general medical consultations, basic laboratory services, kinakailangang gamot, at optical services gaya ng vision screening, refraction at pamamahagi ng prescription eyeglasses (The medical mission provided free minor and selected elective major surgical procedures such as thyroidectomy, cholecystectomy, excision, varicocelectomy, and selected OB cases, as well as general medical consultations, basic laboratory services, necessary medications, and optical services such as vision screening, refraction, and distribution of prescription eyeglasses),” the DMW said.
During the event, the DMW underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration with other national and local officials in strengthening social protection mechanisms for OFWs.
The DMW said OFW Hospital enforces comprehensive patient screening, diagnostic clearance protocols, and structured operating room scheduling to ensure procedural safety, clinical efficiency and service quality.
Cacdac said the initiative aligns with the OFW Hospital’s ongoing institutional strengthening.
In 2025, the facility served more than 124,000 patients and secured a DOH License to Operate Level 2 and Medical Facilities for Overseas Workers and Seafarers (MFOWS) accreditation, among other healthcare quality recognitions.
Meanwhile, the DMW said construction continues on the OFW Hospital–Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center, which broke ground in October 2025.
The project advances the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to broaden OFWs’ access to specialized and high-quality medical services, reinforcing the administration’s push for more inclusive and responsive public healthcare delivery. (PNA)
