OFWs

HK Consul Urge OFWs to be Mindful of Their Health

Amid rising number of overseas Filipinos getting sick, Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong Antonio Morales urged Filipino workers (OFWs) to better take care of their health.

In a community meeting at the Consulate office on Nov. 11, Morales said they have monitored Filipinos developing symptoms of hypertension while working in Hong Kong.

“Napapansin namin ang marami nating kababayan, na hindi siguro healthy yung lifestyle, na-iistress o nagkakaroon ng altapresyon,” Morales said.

“Napapansin din namin na maraming inaatake (sa puso). Minsan, akala natin nahihilo tayo. Yun pala, may deperensya na. Marami tayong kaso…nakakalungkot yung iba natutumba na lang,” he added.

Morales urged Filipinos in the city to be mindful of their true health condition to address earlier stages of more serious ailments.

“We have to be conscious. Akala natin, healthy tayo pero hindi pala. Ang pinakapuhunan natin dito ang ating kalusugan. Pag hindi tayo malusog, naku mahirapan na tayong maghanap-buhay,” he added.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong is offering free medical checkups for OFWs at its office in Wan Chai from 9am to 4pm Saturday until Thursday, said Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre. The checkups are held at the POLO office on the 18th floor of the Mass Mutual Building at 33 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai.

Free tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, breast exams, and scheduling for HIV tests, dela Torre said.

Data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration showed increase in number of welfare assistance involving OFWs with medical problems over the years. From 113 in 2014, 129 in 2015, 244 in 2016 and 416 in 2017. Likewise, the number of OFWs hospitalized here in Hong Kong and who were visited by OWWA officers reached 134 in 2014, 100 in 2015, 151 in 2016, and 194 in 2017.


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