Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may need to return to the Philippines for treatment of their illnesses will find it easier to do so after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) signed a memorandum circular with five other government agencies to facilitate the processes involving their medical repatriation. Cayetano said the JMC on medical repatriation would be the standard operating procedure (SOP) to be followed whenever the Philippine government would facilitate a medical repatriation. This will include airport assistance and initial medical evaluation, ambulance conduction, referral/endorsement to DOH hospitals or non-DOH facilities, appropriate financial assistance through the DSWD or DOH Medical Assistance Program, PhilHealth membership coverage, medical escort services and psychosocial counseling. The JMC also covers procedures for medical repatriation for undocumented Filipinos. The joint circular on medical repatriation, Cayetano said, was part of the joint manual of operation in providing assistance to migrant workers and other Filipinos overseas signed by the DFA and other government agencies in 2015.

Source: Manila Times June 18, 2017 07:18 UTC