The OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga — the country’s first and only medical institution dedicated to overseas Filipino workers and their dependents — has officially been granted a Level 2 License to Operate by the Department of Health (DOH), marking a new chapter in the government’s mission to enhance healthcare services for OFWs and their families.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the hospital management hailed the certification as a milestone achievement that underscores their shared commitment to deliver accessible and world-class healthcare to Filipino migrant workers — often referred to as the country’s modern-day heroes.
According to the license issued by the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, the OFW Hospital will now operate with an authorized 72-bed capacity and one Type 2 ambulance, an expansion from its previous Level 1 classification which allowed for 50 beds.
With the upgrade, the facility can now offer a wider range of specialized medical services, including an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Level 3 Specialized Diagnostic X-ray Services, and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging. These additions strengthen the hospital’s capacity to handle more complex medical cases, aligning with the DOH’s and DMW’s goal of ensuring that OFWs and their dependents receive comprehensive care close to home.
Located in Barangay Sindalan, City of San Fernando, the OFW Hospital was inaugurated in 2022 and built through the collaboration of several agencies — including the DMW, Department of Health, and the Pampanga provincial government, which donated the land. Funding support also came from partners such as the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation and PAGCOR.
The hospital currently upholds a zero-billing policy for eligible OFWs and their dependents, covering services like general consultations, diagnostics, outpatient and inpatient care, and repatriation assistance. Among its beneficiaries are not only OFWs themselves but also their spouses, minor children, dependent parents, and siblings.
While the hospital continues to expand, management confirmed that a Hemodialysis Unit is not yet operational, though plans are underway to open one soon to meet the growing needs of patients requiring long-term renal care.
