Atty. John Rio A. Bautista, Labor Attache of the Migrant Workers Office – Dubai and Northern Emirates, graced The Filipino Times’ Top Filipino Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East Awards and Summit 2024 Awards Gala Night on 20 September 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Dubai.
The event is the second season of the Awards organized by The Filipino Times, the first one of which was also attended by Labor Attache Bautista. The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Filipino Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East Awards and Summit is a comprehensive event which not only recognizes exceptional healthcare professionals but also holds a healthcare summit where healthcare professionals exchange of knowledge and best practices in the healthcare industry.
In his message during the Gala Night, Atty. Bautista extended his congratulations to the distinguished Filipino healthcare professionals who were recognized in the Awards Night. The Labor Attache acknowledged the significant role that Overseas Filipino Workers in the healthcare profession play in the delivery of their functions as healthcare professionals and workers. He recognized the unparalleled expertise that OFWs in healthcare possess and how their commitment to providing outstanding care and pursuit of excellence have been helping improve the quality of healthcare, fostering compassion, and promoting innovation across the region.
The Labor Attache also assured the awardees and all OFWs in the healthcare field that the Migrant Workers Office – Dubai and Northern Emirates is always cheering them on and open to support them.
One hundred twenty-nine (129) Filipino healthcare professionals from the Middle East were recognized for their significant contributions in the Middle East healthcare sector and for raising the Philippine flag in the region. Out of the 129 Filipino healthcare professional awardees, 90 were from the UAE, while 22 came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 13 from Qatar, 2 each from Bahrain and Kuwait.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver and Consul General Marford Angeles of Dubai were also present during the event and gave congratulatory messages to the awardees, showing the appreciation of the Philippine government of the invaluable contributions of OFWs in the healthcare field.