OFW Medical Exams & POEA Accredited Clinics 2022

Medical Exams! Applying for a job abroad requires a few necessary steps, and medical exams are usually required once you have passed the screening process. Yes! If you’re here, then those daydreams are one step closer to coming true! Congratulations! Now, you need to prepare for the next step! Pass the medical exam and get the “Fit to Work” stamp.

Medical examinations are required to be undertaken in a government-authorized medical clinic. Taking one in a clinic without proper accreditation may regard the results as invalid. In this article, we listed the clinics accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Department of Health (DOH). These clinics are fully equipped with licensed specialists, validated to provide accurate, tamper-free results, as required by the government to protect the workers and employers abroad.

POEA Accredited Medical Clinic 2022

• Makati City
• Metro Manila
• Quezon City
• Mandaluyong City
• Muntinlupa City
• Paranaque City
• Pasay City
• La Union
• Baguio City
• Pangasinan
• Pampanga
• Batangas
• Cavite
• Iloilo
• Negros Occidental
• Cebu
• Zamboanga Del Sur
• Misamis Oriental
• Davao del Sur
• South Cotabato

What is the OFW pre-employment medical exam?

The Pre-Employment Medical Exam (PEME) is a mandatory overall wellness check for Overseas Filipino Workers. This includes physical and psychological exams and laboratory tests. This is a requirement to ensure that candidates are deemed fit to work and able to handle the responsibilities required for the job. It also helps protect host countries and employers from potentially contagious diseases.

 
How to Prepare for a Pre-Employment Medical Exam

To ensure getting the “Fit to Work” stamp, OFW applicants should consider the following recommendations prior to the medical exam:

1. Depending on the test required, some applicants may need a blood sugar test. This requires overnight fasting. Patients should not eat or drink anything (except water), in the hours leading up to the test. Most of the time, the fasting requirement is up to 12 hours.
2. Be sure to rest and take a good night’s sleep to ensure that you are completely rested and ready for the physical evaluation.
3. It is advisable to have your dental procedures done in a separate clinic prior to the medical exam to save on costs. This includes cleaning/oral prophylaxis, dentures, and/or tooth extraction.
4. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and unhealthy (salty, fatty, processed) food for at least a week before the examination to avoid or minimize issues concerning liver functions and cholesterol.
5. Drink lots of water. Being hydrated all throughout the medical exam can work like a charm for your body, and can therefore be beneficial for the sample needed in the clinic.
6. Avoid strenuous exercise prior to the medical exam to prevent issues in heart rate and potassium levels.
7. Prepare the list of allergies, medications, and family medical history, as this information will be recorded in your file.
8. Stool samples collected at home must be submitted to the specimen laboratory within two hours (or less) to ensure accurate evaluation. The time of collection is critical to the accuracy of your test results, if you live far from the clinic, it is best to take the sample at the clinic to avoid complications.

 
Frequently Asked Questions for OFW Medical Examinations:

••• When can I take my medical exam?

Overseas applicants should take the medical exam once they passed the interview and screening process. It is always best to ask your agency to confirm when it is required, but always make sure that you already have an overseas job offer to ensure that you’ll be able to fly to your work country before the three-month validity expires.

••• Can I take my OFW Medical Exam in any Clinic?

Yes! You can take your medical exam in any clinic or medical facility, provided that the clinic is government accredited.

Under Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042: “(c.4) Every Filipino migrant worker shall have the freedom to choose any of the DOH-accredited or DOH-operated clinics that will conduct his/her health examinations and that his or her rights as a patient are respected. The decking practice, which requires an overseas Filipino worker to go first to an office for registration and then farmed out to a medical clinic located elsewhere, shall not be allowed;“

Click here for the list of POEA and DOH Accredited Clinics so you can check which clinic is the best for you.

••• Do I need to set an appointment for the medical exam?

Yes! PEME or Pre-Employment Medical Exam appointments are usually set with a referral letter from the agency. Make sure to confirm with the clinic if there are necessary preparations you might need prior to the examination. (ie: fasting, stool sample, etc.)

••• How much does the Medical Exam cost?

The cost of pre-employment medical exams in the Philippines can range from Php 2,500 to Php 4,500 or more depending on the tests required by your employer. Note that this rate may differ depending on which POEA/DOH Medical Facility you visit. Check with the clinic because most facilities offer OFW Packages for overseas applicants.

••• What medical tests are done for overseas jobs?

OFW Required PEME (Pre-Employment Medical Exam) has two phases. (1) The First phase includes laboratory exams, which include: blood pressure tests and extraction, urine, and stool test, x-ray, drug tests, dental exams, optometry for visual acuity, and color blindness. (2) The second phase consists of a physical examination and a psychological test that includes answering abstract questions.

••• Can a female with a menstrual period take the medical exam?

Yes, female applicants can still have the medical examination even during the menstruation period. But it’s always best to inform the physician because periods can affect urinalysis results.

••• What happens if I get an “Unfit to Work” stamp on my Medical Exam?

Depending on the reason, it’s possible that the job offer can be delayed, or canceled if the medical results show an “Unfit to Work” status. Coordinate with your agency or employer so they can check the results and assess the need to issue a waiver to the medical facility.

 

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