Migrant Workers Health Summit in Quezon City
MANILA — Hundreds of overseas Filipino workers, former OFWs, and their families have availed of free medical services during the first-ever two-day Migrant Workers Health Summit in Quezon City.
The summit, held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center from June 30 to July 1, is part of the celebration of the Migrant Workers Month. It was organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Health, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the OFW Hospital.
The health services offered included dental and eye consultations and screening for diabetes, cervical cancer, HIV, and tuberculosis.
DMW Undersecretary Nikki Rubia-Tutay said around 200 individuals benefitted on the first day of the health summit while 267 people registered for the second day but walk-ins were still accepted.
“‘Yung simpleng konsulta sa mga doktor po ay isang bagay na po na maaaring maging benepisyo ng ating mga kababayan kasi minsan ‘di ba ‘pag nagpapakonsulta tayo sa doktor, kailangan pa ng schedule,” Rubia-Tutay said.
“Tapos, kailangan mo rin mag-shell out ng pera kung pupunta ka sa private facility. Kung hindi naman, kung public facility, you have to wait for your schedule,” she added.
OFWs, who are currently in the Philippines and awaiting to return to work overseas, expressed appreciation for the summit.
“Makakatulong siya in a way lalo na sa health kasi kailangan nating ma-restore din ‘yung health natin as an OFW,” said Edna Navarro, a domestic helper who served in Hong Kong. “Makakatulong ‘to para magbigay ulit sa amin ng little or extra strength.”
“Gusto ko nga rin isama ‘yung senior parents ko kaso hindi sila available. Sa part ko, maganda ring i-support ‘yung mga ganitong cause,” said Leo Mendoza, an editor who last worked in Vietnam.
Rubia-Tutay said they were planning to expand their reintegration services to incorporate health services for OFWs.
“Siguro po dahil nakita po natin na talagang kailangan siya ng ating mga kababayan, we can expand the services of the National Reintegration Network. If you have heard about it, it's more of the livelihood and job fair na pumupunta po tayo sa iba't ibang rehiyon,” the undersecretary said.
“So, ngayon po dahil sa may pangangailangan talaga para sa kalusugan, we will be expanding the services to include help na po para sa ating mga overseas Filipino workers,” she said.
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