The OFW Hospital in Pampanga has served more than 11,000 patients since opening its doors to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in May last year, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said today.
Doctors and medical staff at the OFW Hospital have also performed 15 minor surgeries and delivered two baby boys, one of them only early this month, she added.
Secretary Ople shared these highlights as the DMW signed Wednesday a partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital to operate and manage the OFW hospital in San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Ople and Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, UP-PGH director, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 8 for the operation and management of the OFW Hospital based in San Fernando City in Pampanga.
The hospital is a 7-story facility standing on a 1.5-hectare property with a 102-bed capacity. The Provincial Government of Pampanga gave the property under a usufruct agreement.
Executive Order No. 154 signed on December 7, 2021 called for the creation of the facility. Under a partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bloomberry Cultural Foundation funded the construction of the hospital while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) provided funding for the acquisition of hospital equipment.
It was opened on May 1, 2022 with an out-patient clinic and started operation as an infirmary in July 2022. Last January, the DMW took over the operation from DOLE. It is now classified as a secondary level medical facility.
Ople said the vision of the hospital is to be the “center of excellence” for the healthcare needs of Filipino overseas workers and their dependents and the best workplace for healthcare professionals.
“The OFW Hospital’s mission is to provide holistic patient-centered healthcare services to OFWs and their dependents,” she added.
On hand to witness the signing were lawyer Angelo Jimenez, UP President; Dr. Dante Dator, OFW Hospital administrator, and DMW Undersecretaries Hans Cacdac, Bernard Olalia, Patricia Yvonne Caunan, and Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones as well as other senior officials of the DMW and UP-PGH.
The first minor surgery in the hospital involved a breast mass excision. The patient was a 59-year-old woman from Angeles City, Pampanga. Her son is an inactive sea-based OFW. She first came in last October 6, complaining of pain in her right breast. She underwent surgery on October 17, 2022.
The first major surgery involved another woman, this time 58 years old from Mexico, Pampanga. Her daughter is an inactive land-based OFW, previously deployed in Oman. The patient came to the OFW Hospital last February 27, complaining of “right upper quadrant abdominal pain.” She was diagnosed with “acute cholecystitis,” hence for admission and a major operation. She was discharged to home on March 5, 2023.
Said her daughter: “Para sa akin excellent, maganda yung service. Walang macomment na hindi maganda. Yung pag-aalaga kay mother full force.”
The hospital just recently delivered its second baby, a boy named “Baby Calix,” last March 5. The first successful delivery happened last February 8, also a baby boy.
As of February 28, 2023, the hospital has received 483 patients in its Out-Patient Unit, of which 387 were admitted and/or given urgent care. 15 minor surgeries have been performed, all free through the Malasakit program of the government. Total cost of services rendered amounted to P18.53 million.
The hospital also operates its own pharmacy which provides the medications and drugs required in the medical management of the patient.
Dr. Jose Dante Dator, the hospital’s administrator, said the OFW Hospital has been continuously striving to expand its facilities and services to cater to more patients, provide excellent service to OFWs and dependents which remains its top priority.
For CY 2023, in the pipeline is the acquisition of an MRI and digital mammography, plus the establishment of a hemodialysis unit and expanded cardiology services.