09 December 2016 — In celebration of Overseas Filipinos Month the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, in collaboration with UNTV and The Medical City, held a Free Medical Mission for overseas Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at the Consulate grounds on December 01.

One hundred fifty-three participants availed of the Medical Mission’s free cholesterol, blood sugar, blood chemistry tests, and were also provided free medication by the medical professionals of The Medical City, a Philippine-based healthcare institution.

In addition, UNTV also provided free calls to the Philippines to those availing of free medical services, allowing them to connect with their families back home.

This is the first collaboration between the Consulate, UNTV, and TMC, highlighting the need to pool the resources of government, media, and civil society in providing efficient and effective consular and humanitarian service to overseas Filipinos.

There are some 500,000 Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Those with employment visas have corresponding insurance. However, there are those without proper documentation and have no health insurance, making them unable to avail of medical services.The Free Medical Mission aimed to reach out to them.

Philippine Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund P. Cortes said that more medical missions will be coordinated with UNTV and The Medical City to provide free services to those without insurance among the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. END