Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2013-0006)
The DOH regulates the activities and operations of all clinics conducting Pre-Employment Medical Examinations (PEME) on Filipino migrant workers, ensuring the medical facilities comply with standards for health examinations prior to overseas employment.
A medical clinic must have a valid Certificate of Accreditation (COA) issued by BHFS, comply with the minimum standards set by DOH including Quality Standard System (QSS) certification, have qualified medical personnel, adequate physical facilities, proper equipment, and submit regular reports to BHFS.
A fit to work PEME certificate for land-based overseas applicants is valid for ninety (90) days from the date of issuance or less if required by the host country/employer. If not deployed within this period, a new PEME is required.
Penalties include: first offense - a fine of Php 50,000; second offense - suspension of COA and/or fine of Php 100,000; third offense - revocation of COA. In case of repatriation due to preventable medical issues, revocation of COA shall apply immediately.
An OFW or migrant worker is a person engaged or to be engaged in remunerated activity in a state where he/she is not a citizen or aboard vessels navigating foreign seas, excluding government military/non-commercial vessels or offshore installations.
The clinic must have a Medical Director (licensed physician), examining physicians (licensed), registered nurses, psychologists, psychometricians, audiometricians, dentists, pathologist overseeing the clinical laboratory, medical technologists, radiologist heading imaging services, and x-ray technologists.
If found medically unfit within 15 days of arrival, the accredited clinic that conducted the PEME must pay for the OFW's repatriation and deployment cost. The repatriated OFW must report to BHFS with specified documents for evaluation by the Peer Review Committee.
The Peer Review Committee, created by the Secretary of Health, reviews contested PEME results and medical unfitness decisions. Its decision is final and helps resolve appeals by applicants or other parties.
Clinics must submit monthly reports on PEME statistics, laboratory tests, psychological assessments, and repatriation cases to BHFS in accordance with prescribed templates and maintain logbooks and records to ensure transparency and compliance.
The DOH sets a minimum and maximum range of fees to ensure that fees are reasonable and cover the cost of services. Fees must be posted conspicuously in the clinic and regularly monitored to prevent exorbitant charges.