OFW Lung Scar Issues

It is evident how many Overseas Filipino Workers have uplifted their lives from poverty by earning a modest amount of hard-earned money abroad in the midst of home-sickness and distant family in the Philippines. The difference in pay rate and greener pasture has enticed many to leave the country and start working abroad. It is due to the difference in the compensation rate and tax system that our fellowmen enjoyed the fruits of their labour abroad, enabling them financial stability and enough capital to start their business when they get back to Philippines.


One of the top OFW destination is the Gulf countries in the Middle East. Others go to our neighbor in South East Asia like Taiwan. Completing requirements before the flight requires time and effort. It also includes stress as the expected time to depart from home and live a new country gets near. It happens that these countries requires medical examination conducted here in the country for the issuance of exit clearance from POEA. Medical check-ups also happen abroad as required by the employer.

There are certain conditions a worker might not be given fit to work status. One of which is lung scar. Lung scar or fibrosis in the lungs appear as white or opaque object in the CXR or X-ray that indicates a previous lung infection that  created a mark on the lungs. Although not all scars are originating from a pulmonary tuberculosis illness, it is a secondary indication in the identification of possible active, asymptomatic, and/or old PTB. In the Philippines where the Department of Health had invested it's effort to minimise the prevalence of the disease, views sputum tests and other laboratory test to confirm any active TB infection. X-ray does not directly establish PTB disease alone. However, due to the restriction of any form of lung scar cases among Gulf country employment and working visa application, a small lung scar marking will cause a potential job offer in the said countries to not go through.

The economy now depend on OFW remittances to have a high GDP growth and also as a dollar source in case of global instability economically. The impact of lung scars to the Filipino workers dreaming of a good life by taking opportunities abroad  is evident. The lack of voice of the government had caused loss of potential careers and chance of improving life by becoming OFW. As time goes by, the hope of many ill-fated lung scar "victims" is there that the local opportunities will open here, so that the equal chance of success opens for everyone.