Built to honor the country’s modern-day heroes, the OFW Hospital in Pampanga stands today as a symbol of healing, innovation, and service. Opened in 2022, it is the Philippines’ first government-run medical facility exclusively for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

From Service to Impact
Since its launch, the hospital has cared for more than 146,000 patients and delivered over 320,000 medical services, from outpatient consultations and inpatient treatments to diagnostic tests and emergency care.

Every day, it sees around 180 to 200 patients, many of whom are OFWs or their families managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

“We care for both returning OFWs and their dependents,” shared Medical Center OIC Chief Dr. Patrick Louie Maglaya.

The hospital houses a 50-bed level 1 infirmary, an infection control unit, a repatriation ward, and a full outpatient department offering specialized clinics in cardiology, pediatrics, pulmonology, and occupational medicine.

Two key programs, the Public Health Unit and the Inter-agency Medical Repatriation Assistance Program (IMRAP), also anchor the hospital’s broader mission — coordinating services with the DOH, DMW, OWWA, and other partners for repatriated OFWs.

Eligibility is simple: a passport or valid ID — with coverage extending to dependents under 17 years old.

Embracing Innovation and Mental Wellness
One of the hospital’s most transformative services is its mental health support program, allowing even overseas consultations. Technology has further streamlined operations, with digital queueing and appointment systems that enable advance scheduling.

Plans are underway to expand diagnostics with MRI units and pulmonary function testing to better serve pre-employment and post-repatriation medical needs.

Collaborations are strong, too: through the National Patient Navigator Program with UP-PGH, and partnerships with hospitals overseas for seamless repatriation of patients.

Milestones and Forward Vision
Since opening, the OFW Hospital has logged over 15,000 heart procedures, 7,000 respiratory tests, and 5,000 emergency room admissions.

It has fully integrated into the Universal Health Care system — extending services beyond OFWs without favoritism or padrino politics.

The hospital’s online health campaigns, reaching as far as Qatar and the Middle East, have amplified its global impact. Storytelling initiatives like “Repat Diaries” have captured the hospital’s human side, while new projects such as the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center are poised to provide specialized oncology services by 2026.

Upcoming projects include mobile clinics at NAIA and Clark airports, and wellness hubs in DMW offices to decentralize access even further.

A Mission that Moves Forward
Starting with just nine employees, the hospital has grown to a team of nearly 300.

“Our future is clear: universal, proactive healthcare — meeting patients where they are, here or abroad,” said Maglaya.

As the OFW Hospital marks its third anniversary on May 2, it invites everyone to join in a simple celebration featuring a thanksgiving Mass, wellness clinics, and public health talks.

“Come and we will help you. Come and we will give you the best healthcare that we can offer,” Maglaya said.

The OFW Hospital stands not just as a building — but as a home for every Filipino hero. (PIA Region 3-Pampanga)