MANILA — The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers said Thursday it supports a proposal to expand the number of accredited medical centers serving Filipino workers headed to Gulf countries.
A delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat, the Gulf Health Council and GCC embassies presented the plan during a visit Tuesday to the department’s central office in Mandaluyong City, the agency said.
The delegation outlined the Wafid Program, a digital medical screening system administered by the Gulf Health Council for people seeking to work or live in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.
Formerly known as the Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association, or GAMCA, the program sets standards for mandatory pre-departure medical examinations intended to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and determine whether applicants are physically and mentally fit to relocate.
There are currently 24 accredited medical centers and clinics in the Philippines. The Gulf Health Council said it plans to increase that number, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
Under the Wafid system, applicants are automatically assigned to an authorized clinic based on their location, rather than being allowed to select a facility. The system is intended to improve transparency and reduce fraud.
The migrant workers department said a larger network of accredited facilities could make it easier for overseas Filipino workers to complete a key departure requirement while maintaining the integrity of the process.
“The initiative would help ensure accessibility for our OFW applicants while upholding quality standards, integrity, credibility, and transparency in the application and appointment system, the selection of centers and clinics, and the uniformity of fees,” Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr. said.
The department said medical examinations should be performed only by qualified and accredited health facilities in coordination with the Department of Health.
Officials from the department and the Gulf delegation reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Filipino workers throughout the overseas deployment process.
