The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reaffirmed its commitment to aiding overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with serious health conditions, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance support for medical repatriation efforts.
On July 24, DMW Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul and Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi, joined by Labor Attaché Eduard Ferrer, visited four ailing Filipino patients at Rumailah Hospital in Doha, Qatar. These individuals, suffering from conditions such as stroke and cancer, are being assessed for emergency repatriation.
The officials coordinated with hospital staff and Ms. Alma Balanon, the Medical Repatriation Coordinator for Filipinos, to facilitate key requirements including visa processing and hospital acceptance in the Philippines. These steps are crucial to ensure patients receive continuous care upon arrival.
Balanon noted that the program has helped repatriate 28 patients in 2024, with 11 more undergoing evaluation and one currently in the process. One female OFW, who has been confined since May due to a stroke, is now preparing for her return, following her sibling’s earlier repatriation.
Labor Attaché Ferrer stressed the need for proper documentation and a strong referral mechanism. He cited that a single stretcher repatriation costs QAR 150, while stabilization in advanced care facilities can cost as much as QAR 6,000 per week.
To further strengthen the initiative, the DMW is pushing to expand its Emergency Medical Repatriation Program (EMRP). Plans include setting up a central medical hub and exploring the possibility of building an OFW hospital in Qatar—a move that could significantly improve long-term healthcare access for Filipino workers abroad.
Since its launch in 2015, the medical repatriation program in Qatar has become a lifeline for many OFWs. Another follow-up visit is set for mid-August 2025 to ensure continuous care and reintegration for returning patients.
