OFW Hospital set for major expansion

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Friday that the OFW Hospital (OFWH) in San Fernando, Pampanga, will undergo significant expansion this year to meet the rising demand for medical services from overseas Filipino workers and their families.

Key developments include the hospital’s move to secure a Level 2 license from the Department of Health. This upgrade will allow the OFWH to open Intensive Care Units (ICUs), enhance outpatient services, and introduce more specialty clinics.

Based on data from the DMW’s First Quarter 2025 Performance Report, the OFWH recorded a marked increase in service utilization compared to the same period last year.

“As of March 31, 2025, the OFWH posted notable increases in hospital service utilization compared to the same period last year,” the agency said.

“The report indicates a 92-percent increase in inpatients served from 109 in Quarter 1 of 2024 to 209 in the same quarter this year, while outpatient served showed a 19 percent increase from 10,143 in 2024 to 12,097 in 2025, same quarter,” it added.

According to the DMW, this surge reflects growing public trust in the government’s efforts to provide specialized healthcare services for OFWs. It also reinforces the hospital’s role as a vital part of the government’s support system for returning migrant workers, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand welfare services for OFWs.

In addition to rising inpatient and outpatient numbers, the hospital also reported significant growth in various departments. Radiology and laboratory procedures increased by 30 percent, activity in the Heart Station rose by 34 percent, and respiratory procedures were up by 10 percent.

Other essential services, such as 24/7 emergency care, telemedicine, surgical operations, OB-GYN services, and diagnostics, have also seen increased usage.

The hospital’s Integrated Medical Repatriation and Assistance Program continues to serve repatriated OFWs needing hospitalization or family health counseling.

The OFWH also aims to gain recognition as a provider of Pre-Employment Medical Examinations for OFWs and as a licensed Cancer Treatment Facility. A move toward full digitalization of hospital systems is likewise underway.

To support its expanded services, the hospital will soon begin construction of a dedicated Cancer Center building and undertake further enhancements in the Heart Station, Respiratory, and Radiology units.