MANAMA, Bahrain — The spirit of “Alaga Kapwa,” or caring for one’s fellow human beings, was brought to life on September 18, 2026, as the Philippine Embassy and KIMSHEALTH Hospital Bahrain joined efforts to make healthcare and government services more accessible to the Filipino community in Bahrain. The outreach was held at the KIMSHEALTH Auditorium in Umm Al Hassam.
KIMSHEALTH conducted a medical outreach that provided free health screenings and medical consultations, giving Filipinos an opportunity to check their health and seek medical advice at no cost. A total of 330 Filipinos undertook screenings covering kidney and liver health, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, uric acid, and blood sugar. The result gave them a convenient initial look at their health and helped identify concerns that may require further medical attention.
Upon registration, participants presented their CPR, underwent blood extraction, and received an Alaga Kapwa Card providing them with access to special healthcare offers and discounts at KIMSHEALTH Hospital beyond the outreach activity.
Running alongside the medical outreach was the Philippine Embassy’s Consular Outreach Mission, which served Filipinos.
Representatives from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were on hand to provide their respective services assisting Filipino participants with their concerns and transactions. PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG services were facilitated through online transactions, allowing Filipinos to access these services conveniently during the outreach.
Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga expressed his gratitude to the hospital’s management and medical staff for their efforts to care for the Filipino community. He welcomed the convenience of having healthcare services brought closer to the community, allowing OFWs to attend to their health needs without having to take time away from work.
Jose L. Garcia III, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General, and Vice Consul Charlie Florian T. Prenicolas were also present, adding to the Embassy’s representation at the event and underscoring its continued support for initiatives that promote the welfare and well-being of Filipinos in Bahrain.
Several KIMSHEALTH representatives were also present during the outreach, including Mr. Paul Welford, Chief Operating Officer of KIMSHEALTH Bahrain; Dr. Mishal Rahim, Unit Head; and Mr. Sreenath Srinivasan, Administrator of KIMSHEALTH Medical Centers Bahrain. Their presence reflected KIMSHEALTH’s strong support for the initiative and its commitment to making accessible healthcare services available to the Filipino community in the kingdom.
The joint effort brought healthcare and government assistance together in one venue, giving Filipinos convenient access to essential services from various government agencies while attending to their health needs.
With participants required to observe 10 hours of fasting before the screening, DMW-MWO-OWWA Bahrain provided complimentary bread after completing their tests, offering a simple meal to help them break their fast after the morning’s procedures.
Support for participants continues beyond the outreach, with clients able to obtain their laboratory test results and avail of a free doctor’s visit for a health checkup or consultation at any of the four KIMSHEALTH branches.
Beyond the services provided, “Alaga Kapwa 2026” demonstrated the value of partnerships in bringing essential assistance closer to Filipinos, particularly OFWs who may find it difficult to attend to their health and administrative concerns during regular working hours. More than providing healthcare and government assistance, “Alaga Kapwa” was a simple yet meaningful reminder of the Filipino spirit of looking after one another. Through the combined efforts of the Philippine Embassy, its attached agencies, KIMSHEALTH, and community partners, Filipinos in Bahrain were given not only access to essential services, but also a sense of care and support from a community that continues to look out for its own.
