
Healthcare professionals to be honored as TFT Watchlist Awards kicks off in Saudi Arabia
Outstanding Filipino healthcare professionals will take the spotlight tonight as The Filipino Times continues its 2025 Watchlist Awards in Saudi Arabia, officially launching a series of country-level ceremonies that celebrate the best Filipino professionals across the Middle East.
This evening, June 21, Filipino healthcare heroes from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be recognized for their dedication and vital contributions to the region's healthcare sector.
On June 20, engineers and architects from both countries were honored during the opening ceremony.
For the first time, this prestigious program is awarding top Filipino professionals within each country before they move forward to compete at the regional level, bringing well-deserved recognition closer to local communities.
After Saudi Arabia, Qatar will host the next awarding ceremonies for winners from Qatar and Kuwait: engineers and architects on August 8, and healthcare professionals on August 9.
The UAE and Oman will conclude the country-level awarding on November 21 for engineers and architects and on November 22 for healthcare professionals.
All country winners will then advance to the regional stage, where the Middle East's top Filipino engineers and architects will be named on March 29, 2026, followed by the top healthcare professionals on March 30, 2026 — further strengthening global recognition of Filipino excellence.

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Filipino Times
8 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Healthcare professionals to be honored as TFT Watchlist Awards kicks off in Saudi Arabia
Outstanding Filipino healthcare professionals will take the spotlight tonight as The Filipino Times continues its 2025 Watchlist Awards in Saudi Arabia, officially launching a series of country-level ceremonies that celebrate the best Filipino professionals across the Middle East. This evening, June 21, Filipino healthcare heroes from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be recognized for their dedication and vital contributions to the region's healthcare sector. On June 20, engineers and architects from both countries were honored during the opening ceremony. For the first time, this prestigious program is awarding top Filipino professionals within each country before they move forward to compete at the regional level, bringing well-deserved recognition closer to local communities. After Saudi Arabia, Qatar will host the next awarding ceremonies for winners from Qatar and Kuwait: engineers and architects on August 8, and healthcare professionals on August 9. The UAE and Oman will conclude the country-level awarding on November 21 for engineers and architects and on November 22 for healthcare professionals. All country winners will then advance to the regional stage, where the Middle East's top Filipino engineers and architects will be named on March 29, 2026, followed by the top healthcare professionals on March 30, 2026 — further strengthening global recognition of Filipino excellence.


Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Filipino Times
Sun Life unveils first health insurance plan tailored for OFWs
Overseas Filipinos have long been celebrated as the country's modern-day heroes, braving distance and sacrifice to build a better life for their families back home. Yet while they work tirelessly to secure their loved ones' future, many remain vulnerable when it comes to protecting their own health, especially while living abroad. When the one who cares for everyone else falls ill, the question remains: who will care for them? Thankfully, Sun Life has introduced OFW Health Protect, the first health insurance plan created specifically for overseas Filipinos. This innovative plan is set to benefit millions of OFWs, offering reliable protection and peace of mind wherever they are. Unlike typical insurance products, Sun Life OFW Health Protect understands the unique situation of Filipino migrant workers. It grants them access to teleconsultation with Filipino doctors, anytime, day or night, wherever they are. This means no more guessing or self-medicating out of fear of hospital bills or language barriers. Equally important, the plan provides a cash benefit upon diagnosis of a critical illness, offering much-needed financial support during life's most challenging moments. To ease the burden even more, Sun Life ensures that payment terms can be customized and aligned with an OFW's deployment contract, so they can complete payments within their work tenure abroad, without worry about unfinished obligations. For Filipinos working in the UAE, many of whom juggle multiple jobs and responsibilities, this new offering could mean the difference between facing illness alone and having a trusted partner to lean on. Sun Life's OFW Health Protect is a testament to what it means to be a true partner to the Filipino community—providing protection, understanding, and care that go beyond borders. Because every modern hero deserves to feel safe, even when far from home.


Web Release
3 days ago
- Web Release
Filipino Healthcare Worker Recovers After Removal of Brain Tumor, Nearly the Size of a Tennis Ball, at Aster Hospital Mankhool
A 41-year-old Filipino woman, Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes, a healthcare assistant at an aesthetic clinic in Dubai, underwent life-saving brain surgery at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, ranked No. 4 on Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals in the UAE list for 2025. Ms. Omes had been experiencing severe headaches, nausea, double vision, and a full-body seizure – alarming symptoms that prompted immediate medical evaluation. Upon her admission on November 27, 2024, scans revealed a large, non-cancerous brain tumor on the right side of her brain, known as a falcine meningioma. The tumor had grown across the center of her brain to the opposite side, causing swelling and pressure on critical brain areas, leading to a condition called cerebral edema and mass effect. Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, compared the tumor's size to that of a tennis ball. Despite a medical history of asthma and high cholesterol, Ms. Omes was not on any regular medications. Her symptoms included persistent headaches (VAS 8/10), a seizure with tongue bite, temporary confusion, and a brief episode of double vision. She did not report limb weakness or trauma. On November 28, 2024, Dr. Prakash Nair and his team performed a complex brain surgery on Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, to remove the tumor located near a critical brain region responsible for limb movement. The patient was placed under general anesthesia, and the surgical team accessed the tumor through four small openings in the skull. Using advanced tools including a state-of-the-art microscope and ultrasonic aspirator (CUSA), the team performed a Simpson Grade 1 resection, meaning the tumor and its roots were entirely removed — significantly lowering the risk of recurrence. Bleeding was controlled without the need for transfusion, and the skull was reconstructed with precision. Following surgery, Ms. Omes was transferred to the ICU and weaned off ventilator support within 24 hours. A follow-up scan confirmed complete tumor removal with no complications. She was mobilized the next day, resumed eating normally within hours, and responded well to physiotherapy. Discharged on December 5, 2024, she made a full recovery with no neurological issues. 'This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care. The tumor was located in a challenging area near vital brain structures, but we were able to remove it completely without causing any damage,' said Dr. Prakash Nair, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, who led the surgery. He added, 'In cases of Simpson Grade 1 resection, the recurrence rate after 10 years is less than 9%2, which is extremely promising for the patient's long-term prognosis.' Falcine meningiomas make up about 9% of all intracranial meningiomas1 and are more common in women, with a two- to three-fold higher occurrence than in men3. These tumors are typically diagnosed more often with increasing age. In this case, the tumor's fibroblastic subtype added to the complexity of the condition. Ms. Jovelyn Sison Omes expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Nair and the medical team, saying, 'I'm incredibly thankful to Dr. Nair and the entire team for saving my life. I had been suffering from debilitating symptoms, but today, I'm pain-free, seizure-free, and back to work. As a healthcare worker, I urge everyone not to ignore warning signs. Early intervention truly saved my life, and I hope my story encourages others to seek help when something doesn't feel right. With follow-up imaging confirming a successful outcome and no neurological deficits, Ms. Omes is expected to lead a full and healthy life. Her case stands as a testament to the power of timely diagnosis, surgical expertise, and compassionate care — all hallmarks of Aster Hospital Mankhool's commitment to clinical excellence.