QuestionsQuestions (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1)
It is issued to implement the DOH’s regulatory functions under Executive Order No. 102 (s. 1999) and the related Memorandum of Agreement among DOH, DOLE, and the Maritime Industry Authority. Its objective is to establish, regulate, and upgrade standards for medical services and pre-employment medical examinations (PEME) for overseas land-based workers and seafarers so that only occupationally qualified and physically/medically fit workers participate in inter-island/overseas employment.
Only medical facilities duly accredited by the DOH for the purpose may conduct the PEME.
The agency or its principal/shipping company must interview, conduct trade testing, and finally decide to accept the applicant for employment. This acceptance must be stated in a referral slip for PEME, duly accomplished and addressed to the accredited medical facility where the PEME will be conducted.
Any violation by the agency must be reported to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
The cost of repatriation is shouldered by the medical facility.
The medical facility must file an affidavit of undertaking with the applicant, the agency/company, and the DOH covering that repatriation will be shouldered by the medical facility.
The Order lists major cardiac cases, pulmonary tumor, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, and other illnesses whose program/state could have been detected during the PEME.
It shall be taken from the cash bond posted at the DOH by the accredited medical facility.
If there is no deployment within ninety (90) days from the PEME date, the applicant must undergo another PEME to ensure no infections or illnesses prevailing in the land were acquired after the last PEME.
They include: (1) complete history taking and physical examination; (2) chest x-ray using plates not smaller than 11" x 14"; (3) complete blood count (including hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, RBC, differential count, and platelet determination—qualitative and quantitative); (4) blood typing; (5) routine urinalysis; (6) routine fecalysis; (7) dental examination; (8) psychometric evaluation; and (9) electrocardiograph (ECG) for applicants 40 years old and above.
Seafarers must undergo all standard examinations plus visual acuity and color perception test using the Ishihara Test. Hearing and audiometric testing are also required for all seamen regardless of position.
They must be done as required by the country of destination or per request of the principal.
The results must be submitted to the referring agency or principal/shipping company within seventy-two (72) hours after completion of the required PEME tests.
The clinic must advise the agency/company of the estimated period/time for treatment so the agency/company may refer the worker accordingly and provide acquiescence.
For land-based workers, PEME results are valid up to the end of the contract. For seabased workers, validity is two (2) years for the PEME Certificate during continuous sea-based service on board.
If there is an extension of contract by decision of the hiring vessel, a medical examination must be conducted in the nearest port health examination center, and the effectivity should be considered within the prescribed validity rules.
The medical facility must have a Master Logbook duly registered and stamped by the BHFS, and the medical facility must guarantee the integrity of its examination results.
A full-time psychologist registered with BHFS must take full responsibility for psychological screening and evaluation. This includes a battery of psychological tests (Draw-a-Person/House Tree Person, Sack Sentence Completion, Bender Gestalt Motor Visual Test, Raven’s Progressive Matrices or Purdue Non-Language Test), an autobiography, and a comprehensive interview.