News update OWWA set to open more hospital wings in provinces

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the welfare agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), is expanding its medical benefits to its members and their families.

OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon said the expanded medical benefits project of the agency was authorized by the OWWA Board of Trustees.

Dimzon said the board had also authorized OWWA to enter into agreements with more provincial governments to open hospital wings for OWWA members, their families and distressed OFWs.

Under the OWWA Health Program for OFWs (HealthPro), OWWA subsidizes medical services for active OWWA members.

OWWA pays for hospital expenses after the beneficiary's Philhealth allowable deductions and other HMO or similar company medical benefits have been deducted from the original bill.

Earlier, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon signed an agreement where a hospital wing of the OWWA-Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Alubijid will be for use of OWWA members, their families and distressed OFWs who need medical treatment for illnesses contracted while working abroad.

The OWWA-Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Alubijid will be completed early next year and, under a level-2 license by the Department of Health (DoH), will render to qualified OFW-patients medical services ranging from general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and anesthesia, radiology and pharmacy, to nursing care.

"Subsidized medical assistance through hospital wings dedicated for OFWs is an expanded medical benefit in response to the need of OFWs particularly those residing in the regions," Dimzon said.

"OWWA wants to help OFW patients whose PhilHealth and HMO and company medical benefits have been exhausted.

Construction of the OWWA-Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Alubijid Hospital in Barangay Lanao, Alubijid is expected to be completed by early 2011.