By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate of safeguarding the welfare of Filipino frontline health workers working overseas, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted the agency’s whole-of-government approach to supporting medical professionals.
In his speech before the delegates attending the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), Cacdac stressed the importance of international collaboration and shared responsibility towards ensuring a brighter future for healthcare workers.
He addressed the audience, “We must strengthen education and training systems, ensure fair compensation and safe working conditions, and create an environment that supports continuous learning and professional growth.”
The Migrant Workers Chief likewise noted the need for stronger policies and a framework for enhanced data governance and information systems vis-à-vis reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to work with global partners, particularly in the areas of digital health innovation, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building through education and training.
Secretary Cacdac moreover shared the efforts of DMW in ensuring adequate protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which includes promotion of ethical labor practices, 42 Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) worldwide that respond to the concerns of migrant workers, and a comprehensive suite of programs for those returning home.
He emphasized, “In order to build a resilient health workforce, we must protect, prepare, and fairly deploy our present and future health workers. The future of global health hinges on our collective commitment to investing in and empowering our health workers.”
Secretary Cacdac was joined by other notable speakers, Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana from Rwanda and County Health Minister Dr. Gregory Ganda of Kisumu, Kenya, who both spoke on their respective countries’ efforts to support their growing number of health care workers.
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