Definition of Key Terms
- Accredited Medical Facility: Clinic licensed by DOH to conduct PEME for land-based overseas workers and seafarers.
- Agency: Licensed recruitment or manning entity authorized by POEA and DOLE.
- BHFS: Regulatory body under DOH overseeing the guidelines.
- PEME: Pre-Employment Medical Examination to determine fitness to work abroad.
- Seafarers subdivided into inter-island (within Philippine seas) and overseas seafarers (outside country).
- Secondary Category Laboratory: Hospital-based labs providing routine hematology, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood typing, clinical chemistry, quantitative platelet counts.
- Cross Matching: Hospital-based procedure.
- Shipping Company: Philippine-registered company engaged in local or foreign maritime trade.
General Guidelines for Conducting PEME
- PEMEs must be done only at DOH-accredited medical facilities.
- PEME is conducted only after applicant passes agency interview, trade test, and acceptance.
- Referral slip must be completed by agency, naming the applicant and directed to the accredited facility.
- Violations by agencies to be reported to POEA.
- If employer rejects or terminates worker within 3 months for medical causes detectable during PEME, medical facility covers repatriation costs.
- Medical facility must post a cash bond with DOH to cover repatriation expenses.
- PEME validity requires re-examination if deployment does not occur within 90 days to check for new infections or illnesses.
Specific Guidelines on Medical Tests
- Standard PEME components include:
- Complete medical history and physical examination
- Chest X-ray (minimum size 11" x 14")
- Complete blood count (hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, RBC, differential, platelets)
- Blood typing
- Routine urinalysis and fecalysis
- Dental examination
- Psychometric evaluation
- Electrocardiograph if age 40 and above
- Seafarers additionally undergo:
- Visual acuity test
- Color perception test using Ishihara plates
- Hearing and audiometric tests for all positions
- HIV, hepatitis B antigen, or VDRL tests performed if required by destination country or employer.
- Other tests may be requested by agency or principal.
- PEME results must be submitted to referring agency within 72 hours.
- Clinics must advise treatment duration for minor ailments when detected.
Standardization and Psychological Evaluation
- Medical rating systems per Administrative Order 176, s. 2001 (seafarers) and Bureau Circular No. 5, s. 1990 (land-based workers) to be used.
- Prescribed Medical Examination Record Form utilized for documentation.
- Psychological screening conducted by a full-time, BHFS-registered psychologist.
- Psychological tests include:
- Draw a Person/House Tree Person Test
- Sack Sentence Completion Test
- Bender Gestalt Motor Visual Test
- Raven's Progressive Matrices or Purdue Non-Language Test
- Autobiography and comprehensive interview
PEME Result Validity and Recordkeeping
- Medical facilities guarantee the integrity of examination results.
- PEME results valid until end of contract for land-based workers.
- For seafarers, validity extends for two years if continuous sea-based service.
- Extended contracts require medical exams at nearest port health center.
- PEME results transferable between agencies within validity period.
- Medical facilities must maintain a Master Logbook registered and stamped by BHFS.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent previous orders are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The guidelines take effect immediately upon issuance on January 2, 2003.