Moving on from household work: OFWs in Rome complete caregiver training

ROME, Italy — Thirty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Rome, including household helpers seeking stronger employability abroad, completed a basic care skills training for pre-hospital caregivers on Sunday, December 21, under the I Paramedici training program.

The course covered key modules including patient care skills training, health care assistance for the elderly, emergency care, life support training, first aid, injection administration, defibrillation, and fire fighting. 

The training sought to deepen participants' knowledge and strengthen their caregiving competencies, opening doors for better employment opportunities and a more secure future for them and their families.

The program was led by Dindo Malanyaon, founder and president of I Paramedici and a recipient of the 2018 Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. Also among the leaders of the program is medical doctor and surgeon Dott.ssa Pia Dambra, scientific director of the course and regional trainer.

According to Malanyaon, over the span of 16 years, the I Paramedici program has produced approximately 1,000 graduates. 

Many have successfully transitioned from household work to professional roles as health workers, gaining access to broader career opportunities. He added that several certificate holders are now employed in homes for the elderly, health facilities, and hospitals not only in Italy but also in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The recent graduates belong to Batch 36 and Batch 37 of I Paramedici. Their training emphasized becoming competent caregivers, proper patient care techniques, and appropriate conduct during emergency situations.

Sharpened skills

One of the graduates, Progie Labides Ruiz, shared that he is upbeat about potential with the completion of the training.

"For many years, while caring for my employer in Rome, I relied mostly on my own strategies and watched YouTube tutorials to learn. Thanks to I Paramedici, I was able to correct and improve the way I provide care. As a result of earning this certificate, I even received a salary increase," Ruiz said.

Photo by: Boyet Abucay

Ruiz added that it is never too late to start over and upgrade one's skills, encouraging fellow Filipinos to persevere, as a single certificate—earned through dedication and sacrifice—can be the key to a more stable and rewarding livelihood.

Growing demand in Italy

Italy's domestic and caregiving sector continues to expand due to the country's aging population and the increasing need for elderly care services.

According to the 2024 report of Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS), there were 817,403 registered domestic workers in Italy contributing to the national pension and social security system. Of this number, approximately 413,000, or 50.5%, were badanti—caregivers providing direct assistance to the elderly.

Currently, more than 155,000 Filipinos are legal residents in Italy, with a significant number employed in the domestic help and caregiving sector, particularly in major cities such as Rome and Milan. — VDV, GMA Integrated News