Policy Forum: Health for All OFWs June 22, 2012. 3PM CPH Auditorium, UP Manila Presentors: 1.

Former DOLE Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas 2. Ms. Susan Ople, President, Blas Ople Policy Center 3. Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac, Administrator, POEA Panel of Reactors: 1. OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres 2. Dr. Edgardo Gonzaga, Director IV, CHD IV-A DOH 3. Mr. Gary Gaffud, Chief, Overseas Workers Program, Philippines health Insurance Corporation 4. Prof. Leonardo Estacio, Jr., Assoc Professor, Department of behavioral Science, CAS, UP Manila Notes on the Issues and Recommendations by the Presenters: Former Sec Patricia Torres Mobilize government agencies (OWWA, PhilHealth, DFA) provide medical assistance for the OFW For PhilHealth to form counterpart agencies or partners overseas to provide service to OFWs Portable PhilHealth payment Upgrade medical Coverage Online Consultation at Philippine Embassies Research on common affliction among OFWs Facility to compensate for the lack of support system of the OFW On Filipinos as OFW: recognize our own WORTH/ what we bring to the host countries Internship for MDs & CPH students overseas :D For pre-deployment orientation seminar (PDOS): focus on mental and psychological aspect Medical doctors as labor attachs Train people at the embassy on how to better serve OFWs Major issue for OFWs: alienation, culture shock lack of support system Ms. Susan Ople No clear number/ data of OFWs 25-29 age group , largest age group of OFW Lack of knowledge regarding occupational health Develop women focused program since majority of OFWs are women Increase in the number of unskilled workers (DH, service, etc) vs skilled (engineers, doctors, etc) Unskilled has less capacity to assert their rights (esp on health) PDOS use wellness bias Embassy/ Consulate should do more to educate OFWs about Philhealth Role of DOH under RA 10022 Challenges faced by OFWs HIV and STD

Increase in the number of children born out of illicit relationship (lack of maternal care, abortion) Wellness ambassadors Decking system, lack of option for Philhealth members in availing health services No protocol for OFWs coming home with disability

Recommendation Review PDOS content & Incorporate Basic health Information and emergency numbers that OFWs can call overseas Make PhilHealth & DOH more relevant tfor OFWs (no info for OFWs on the DOH websiteaccdg to Ms. Ople) Health support system for ailing, ageing and disabled OFWs here at home Recommend an OFW Hospital/ Clinic c/o OWWA Recommend to members of Public Health academe (UP, DLSU, ADMU) Cost benefit analysis regarding the rate system of Philhealth for OFW sector Focus on mental and emotional health care for OFWs Caring for Cares HIV prevention From the Reactors OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres Emphasized the need to keep OFWs well prepared and well informed PRE-departure, Dr. Edgardo Gonzaga, CHD IV-A DOH Mr. Gary Gaffud, Phil Health Presented data regarding the amount of contribution vs the amount spent for service. Almost equal? mentioned plans of raising contribution from PhP1200 to Php 2400 Prof. Leonardo Estacio, Jr., - raised rarely considered social issues related to problems of OFWs such as increase early pregnancies among daughters of OFWs - Emphasized the need for a comprehensive data on the health status of OFWs Representative from ACHIEVE (Action for Health Initiative. Inc) raised concerns regarding insufficient provision of reproductive health and sexual health among OFWs suggested prioritizing most vulnerable population (DH, less skilled workers, women) and those issues that are sensitive/ hard to talk about for OFWs, sexual health/ emotional issues)