Law Summary
Ethical Obligations of Health Professionals
- Health professionals have a moral and ethical duty to provide the best possible medical services to OFW applicants.
- Reiteration of the Department of Health (DOH) policy against rebates in health services, reflecting DOH BLR Circular No. 1-s, 1990.
GCC Accreditation and Medical Examination Requirements
- Only medical examination results from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) accredited clinics/hospitals are recognized by respective GCC embassies.
- The GCC accredited medical clinics and hospitals in the Philippines are collectively organized under the GCC Approved Medical Centers Association, Inc. (GAMCA).
Referral Decking System and Distribution of OFW Applicants
- OFW applicants for medical examination should be distributed in blocks of ten (10) among the GCC accredited medical facilities whenever practicable.
- This distribution system ensures equal workload sharing among GAMCA member clinics/hospitals.
Transportation and Priority Considerations
- Each GAMCA-affiliated clinic/hospital is required to provide free and adequate transportation for OFW applicants to their assigned medical examination centers.
- Priority in transport and examination is given to applicants who are fasting to avoid overfasting and maintain their health.
Central Office and Operational Hours
- The GAMCA Center operates as the central office for managing the referral system.
- Office hours start at 6:00 A.M. to accommodate applicants from distant provinces and to prevent health risks associated with prolonged fasting.
Liability and Financial Responsibility for Erroneous Medical Results
- GAMCA is held liable for repatriation costs and other expenses if an OFW is repatriated due to erroneous medical examination results.
- Emphasizes accountability for medical accuracy and the direct financial consequences of errors on the medical provider association.
Effective Date
- The referral decking system and associated provisions are effective immediately upon approval on March 8, 2001.