Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) thanked the government for providing free medical services through the OFW Hospital.
Located at Barangay Sindalan in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the facility is the first of its kind to cater specifically to OFWs and their dependents.
Returning OFW Rowena Bondoc shared that upon going back to the Philippines, she was diagnosed with fibroadenoma or a lump in her breast.
Facing financial losses and health problems, she visited the hospital to seek help. Later on, she was given free laboratory tests, medicines, and consultations.
“As in libre talaga, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka the best na nagawa para sa OFW [these were free, and that is the best that has been done for OFWs]. Maraming maraming salamat po sa ating Pangulong Bong Bong Marcos [Thank you very much to our President Bong Bong Marcos]. Malaking tulong po ang naging project na ito para sa mga pamilyang OFW [This project is a big help for OFW and their families],” she stated.
Since its operationalization in May 2022, the OFW Hospital has been offering various services for medical, surgical, obstetric, and gynecological cases.
It has an outpatient department, operating and delivery rooms, pediatric ward, and neonatal intensive care unit.
The facility provides x-ray, computed tomography scan, and ultrasound. It has a heart station, respiratory therapy section, and blood station.
In addition to these, the OFW Hospital provides dental services, and online consultation.
To avail these services, the patient must be an OFW; spouse, children, or parents of the OFW; or sibling of an unmarried OFW.
Meanwhile, the OFW Hospital will soon be able to cater cancer patients through the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center.
The facility will be offering chemotherapy services to OFWs and their dependents.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. emphasized that cancer is currently the second leading cause of death in the country.
“Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients—to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel at home, at the time when they need it the most,” he pressed.
The center serves as the nation’s commitment to its modern-day heroes who are displaying strength, determination, dedication, sacrifice and love that they have for their family.
In addition, Marcos highlighted that the endeavor is inspired by the vision of former Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople who dedicated her entire life working for the rights of migrant workers.
“Nawa’y ang Cancer Care [Center] na ito ay maging simbolo ng ating mas magandang kinabukasan—kung saan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs ay masuklian, ang kanilang pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan, at ang kanilang kalusugan ay pinapahalagahan [May this Cancer Care Center be a symbol of our brighter future – where the sacrifices of our OFWs be returned, their dreams be fulfilled, and their health is be valued],” he stated.
The cancer facility amounts to P80 million and is expected to complete in 2025. It will be operational in 2026.(CLJD/JLDC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)