11 OFWs with mental health problem brought to Bahay Kalinga in Jeddah


Eleven OFWs with mental health problems are currently under the care of Philippine officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after they were brought there by their employers, prompting calls for tougher screening by recruitment agencies.
The 11 OFWs are currently staying at the Bahay Kalinga being run by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
But since the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah neither has the facility nor the professionals to take care of the 11 OFWs, they asked other distressed OFWs who are staying at the Bahay Kalinga to help them.
"Sa Bahay Kalinga, wala naman tayong naka-design na special room para sa mga ganitong kaso," said Consul Rj Sumague, acting head of post of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.
"Ang ginawa natin ngayon dahil sa medyo marami sila ay pinakiusapan natin ang mga kasama nila duon na ward na puwedeng makatulong sa kanila dahil hindi naman natin sila puwede pagsamahin dahil kailangan nila ng espesyal na pag-aalaga sa kanila," he added.
Sumague said they have already asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to send in a medical team to check on and assess the situation of the 11 OFWs as well as the other OFWs with health problems staying at Bahay Kalinga.
He also urged recruitment agencies to implement stricter pre-deployment screening of applicants, noting that the 11 OFWs with mental problems were all newly hired. —Ronaldo Concha/KBK, GMA News

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