The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) had resumed offering free health checks for Filipino workers in Hong Kong, but will prioritize those who have a history of high uric acid or cholesterol levels.
Joszoa Villa, a staff member at POLO, said the office had resumed offering the health checks after procuring the expensive strips needed for uric acid and cholesterol tests, hongkongnews.com.hk reported.
Earlier, the free tests stopped as the office ran out of strips used for the testing. Villa said they will interview the workers to see whether there is a history of illness. The free health checks on blood pressure and blood sugar were launched last November at the POLO office due to worries about the state of health of workers in the city, particularly hypertension.
Meanwhile, Labor Attache Jalilo Dela Torre said the POLO was also trying to find sponsors for free pap smear tests to determine the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix of female workers. Dela Torre made the announcement after he canceled plans for Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong to have mandatory health check-ups when they renew their contracts or change employers due to fears it would lead to job losses.
He encouraged workers to monitor their health, especially their blood pressure, to avoid health-related problems, “particularly strokes.” The free tests are available at the POLO office on the 18th Floor of Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island.
Read: No mandatory medical checks for Filipino workers in HK