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Free health screening for OFWs on Sunday
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Posted on Feb 27 2009
The Philippine Consulate General will be hosting a free health screening for overseas Filipino workers this Sunday, March 1, 2009, from 7am to 12 noon at the ground floor of Marianas Business Plaza Building (former Nauru Building).
The free health screening for OFWs, which is conducted regularly every quarter of the year in cooperation with the Filipino Volunteer Medical Team and Hardt Eye Clinic, includes medical services such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and vision check-ups.
Consul General Wilfredo Maximo said that this year’s quarterly health screening for OFWs will feature short lectures on topics such as how to prevent diabetes, hypertension and obesity, from the volunteer medical practitioners before the actual check-up services. He has recommended that those availing of this free health screening to come early as possible before 7am for the registration and for those having their blood sugar tested to refrain from taking solid and liquid food from 12 midnight to actual testing.
In 2008, the Philippine Consulate General said that 1,586 OFWs availed themselves of the free blood pressure/blood sugar and vision checks–ups. The average number of OFWs who came for the free quarterly check-ups is placed at 390.
Records of the 4th quarter of 2008 health screening activity also show that of the total 406 OFWs served, 307 OFWs had their blood pressure/blood sugar checked while 99 had their eye vision examined.
According to Maximo, he hopes that this project would continue so that “we can increase the level of awareness on the prevention of diabetes and hypertension, and as well as on the correction of eye/vision pressure among the OFWs.”
Maximo said that through this project, the Philippine Consulate General hopes to reach more OFWs and serve even if in a modest way their medical needs by also fostering the spirit of volunteerism among the Medical Volunteers Team and Hardt Eye Clinic, in the true spirit of Filipino bayanihan here on Saipan. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
