Medical Concerns of OFWs: The Realities
Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs are exposed to specific medical concerns by virtue of their situation and employment circumstances. Away from the loving arms of their respective families and the support of long-time friends and relatives, they find themselves confronting risk and danger whether by force or choice. Many return home to the country with a far heavier problem than what they had when they left.
Medical Concerns of OFWs
Mental Disorder
Separation from family, undergoing physical and emotional abuse from employers, or being jailed for a crime that has not been committed all have the potential to break the camel’s back, so to speak. When dealt with alone and without any form of support in a foreign country, chances are, the concerned OFW will go the way of insanity. Even the trauma of being caught in the crossfire of war can leave psychological scars that may never heal.
Physical Injury
Whether in defending one’s honor or trying to escape the cruelty of some foreign employers, many have gone home maimed or even dead. Some even have to suffer through the pain without the benefit of any medical attention since conditions like these that pertain to willful infliction of injury are usually hidden from public. Aside from the usual occupational risk faced by any working person in any company or home, OFWs who have the misfortune of having cruel employers are more at risk.
HIV/AIDS
The statistics of HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines is getting to be alarming in the sense that a considerable percentage of these cases involve former OFWs . The social problems of infidelity and sexual promiscuity of OFWs while staying in a foreign land are real. Many lives and families have been destroyed in the name of loneliness especially with resulting pregnancies between non-spouses. According to DOH, the new cases of HIV among Filipinos including OFWs resulted from male-to-male sexual contact. Morality issues aside, this specific medical concern has to be addressed from the roots since sexual relations of this nature are often entered into with consent of the parties involved. Rape and other similar criminal cases are of course tackled differently.
Where Do OFWs Go for Medical Assistance?
OFWs must be members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth. This membership will give them access to medical assistance when they get sick abroad. Expenses for hospital confinement for at least 24 hours are reimbursable subject to submission of requirements. Those who have been provided by health insurance by their employers abroad can still file for a separate reimbursement claim with Philhealth.
Benefit coverage for OFWs can be seen here.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA is the main agency tasked to assist OFWs in their need for medical and legal assistance when required. It is the lead membership welfare institution that serves the interest and welfare of member OFWs. There are benefits to OWWA membership.
My Say
These medical concerns can affect Filipinos wherever they are, even here in our own land. However, the specific situation of OFWs have made them especially vulnerable to encountering these concerns while working in a foreign land. In the bid to improve their lives in the economic aspect, many Filipinos brave leaving the comforts of being with family and plunge head-on to the risks involved in being an OFW. There is a need for better systems that will enable better protection from risks. While some can be resolved by laws and having access to information, others will have to be resolved in a personal level.
tumandok
Any person who is very much concerned of his/her well-being will always do his/her best to be in good health. I do appreciate our fellow countrymen who work abroad to alleviate their family economically and to prepare for the bright future for his/her children. Anyway, this is always the concern of anyone. – Gil Camporazo
JessicaWCassidy
I am sure that being an OFW’s is not easy living the Philippines and of course their family 🙁 I hope that the government take care of all the heroes not only in the Philippines but also the country that they will work 🙂 They are our heroes who help the Philippine economy and hope that Philippine Embassy where they are will take care of them all especially their health 🙂
ralph
self discipline might help answer some of the medical concerns… though easily said than done, i guess, we need to hang on to whatever purpose why we are working in a foreign land. Yahweh bless.
Jam Daquio
the temptations are given, but it is really up to the people whether to go with it or to avoid it.. hmmm whether the issue is aids/hiv or not, PhilHealth is really a big help for each and everyone of us. health is wealth.
Marie Michel
No offense meant, and I am totally being ignorant, is the health services better for those working at home (pinas)? The Philhealth should be a top priority of the government, hospitals and medicine should not be expensive rather readily available to any citizen ( as per human right) – ahehehe carried away na naman ako. The government should really tidy up its act as well as the heads of departments to provide every Filipino with care. :/
che
It is sad that these continue to be great concerns of our Filipino workers abroad and sadder that the system our country has is not that much reliable. Hoping this agency will be made better for our modern-day heroes.
Franc Ramon
The government should really help in enhancing the benefits of OFWs especially their healthcare.
Joy
There is a need for better systems that will enable better protection from risks – I totally agree with you but the question is – is there any particular legislator who is showing enthusiasm to address this problem?
Roch
In some countries there are really medical insurances for OFWs that can benefit them. However of course they are expensive.