Breaking Barriers in Healthcare: mWell Brings Pinoy Doctors Closer to OFWs in Hong Kong

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the world’s focus to the importance of access to healthcare services. However, even before the pandemic, migrant workers have always faced challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare services in their host countries. This issue is even more pressing for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are located far away from their families and the healthcare system they are familiar with.

In response to this, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC) mWell partnered with the Department of Migrant Workers to enable OFWs in Hong Kong to consult with Pinoy doctors using the mWell app. This collaboration was launched during a town hall meeting with key DMW officials and leaders of the Filipino Community (FILCOM) at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong. 

As the Philippines’ first and only health app available globally, this milestone marks the first step in mWell’s mission to bring healthcare closer to Filipinos in all parts of the world. The mWell app is the first fully integrated health app in the Philippines, bringing together experts in technology, medicine, wellness, and healthcare in one sustainable living ecosystem. 

“Our goal is to make health and wellness accessible, available, and affordable to all Filipinos anytime, anywhere. With the mWell app, even those working in Hong Kong can now easily talk to Pinoy doctors who understand their language and can provide the medical advice that they need right away. With the mWell app’s wellness features, our migrant workers can take control of their health empowering them to be more productive, become healthier, and live their best life with their families,” said Chaye Cabal-Revilla, mWell CEO and President and MPIC Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer. 

The mWell app gives OFWs access to over 800 highly-trained Filipino partner-doctors, including internal medicine doctors, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and ophthalmologists, among others. Mind health experts are just a few taps away. The app also promotes preventive healthcare, with the mWellness Score developed by data scientists, which measures physical health based on daily activities such as exercise, light activity, steps, and sleep. This serves as a guide to achieving a healthy physical lifestyle to fight against chronic diseases and attain long-term health. Specialized fitness programs and calorie-controlled recipes created by nutritionists are also easily accessible.

Aside from migrant workers in Hong Kong, mWell provides free online consultation services for daily wage earners including tricycle drivers and market vendors as a Labor Day tribute. In a series of on-ground events, mWell shall bring its health and wellness advocacy to select communities in the country. The feature shall also feature wellness and livelihood talks, plus Zumba sessions to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. Additionally, Mind Health sessions featuring expert psychologists will be conducted for office employees in partner companies as part of the mWell@Work program.

The availability of health passes, which may be sent as a gift to families in the Philippines, is made possible through a partnership with Tindahan ni Bossing (TINBO) by PLDT Global. OFWs can provide the gift of health by sending their families affordable mWell health plans, which include online consultation, a free medical certificate, and e-prescription.

The partnership between mWell and the Department of Migrant Workers is a significant step towards providing accessible healthcare for Filipinos working overseas. Harnessing the power of technology, the mWell app provides a convenient and affordable way for OFWs to take control of their health and wellbeing, empowering them to live their best lives with their families.