The OFW Hospital is set to serve a wider population as it extends its services beyond overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
On Tuesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) Region 3, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), and the Pampanga provincial government, allowing more Pampanga residents and the general public to access medical care.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda led the signing during the DMW Bagong Pilipinas OFW Caravan at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center in San Fernando.
“This is a collective commitment to provide quality health care services not only to OFWs and their families but also to other Pampanga residents in need,” the DMW said.
While the hospital was initially dedicated to OFWs, the new agreement implements a 60:40 patient ratio, ensuring that 60% of patients will be OFWs and their dependents, while 40% will be non-OFW Pampanga residents.
Under the agreement, Pampanga’s provincial government will deploy medical specialists to the hospital, while JBLMGH doctors will provide regular consultations. The DOH will also fund infrastructure improvements through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
Vice Governor Pineda expressed gratitude to the DMW and its partner agencies for expanding essential health care services in Pampanga.
Since its establishment in 2022, the OFW Hospital has served over 86,000 patients, providing consultations, laboratory tests, and specialized medical treatments.
The hospital is a flagship program initiated by the late DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, aiming to provide accessible health care for OFWs and their families.
In December 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking of the Bagong Pilipinas – OFW Hospital Cancer Care Center, responding to the rising cases of cancer in the country.
Meanwhile, Secretary Cacdac assured OFWs that the hospital remains committed to their health needs, regardless of how long they have been back in the country.
