ANGELES CITY, July 1 (PIA) — Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. highlighted Wednesday the significant accomplishments in the city on the health aspect under his first term of office.
“One year ago today, when I took at the helm of the Angeles City Hall, I zeroed in on the importance of a healthy citizenry which I believe would make our people more productive members of the society,” Lazatin said during his online State of the City Address (SOCA).
Specifically, the mayor said that PhP90 million had been earmarked for the improvement of the facilities at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC), with the inclusion of an intensive care unit, pediatric, and gynecology services, as it aspires for a Level 2 status.
“This budget also includes the procurement of modern medical equipment, as well as the provision of medicines, medical supplies, and even increase of the salaries of workers,” the mayor said.
In addition, the local chief executive said another PhP10 million worth of medicines were delivered to the different Rural Health Units (RHUs), aside from the door-to-door delivery of medicines to indigent Angeleños.
Reports from the City Health Office showed that a total of 5,391 individuals have already received medicine assistance via door-to-door delivery.
“As I said before, your leadership shall make sure that medical treatment is within reach of every citizen of this city and we shall try as best as we can to provide the cheapest, even free, medical treatment to most indigent patients,” Lazatin said.
With this, he said the “Puso Center” was established in February 2020, to give Angeleños better access to free medical and dental treatment, and minor surgeries.
To date, 1,711 patients were served at the “Puso Center” since its opening four months ago.
Lazatin also reported that more than 4,000 children were given free vitamin supplementation and deworming vaccines, while 7,811 senior citizens have availed of the anti-flu vaccines.
“Free mandatory annual physical examinations and other medical-related benefits were also provided for senior citizens and residents,” he said.
In terms of its dengue response, the city chief said that no deaths were recorded from January 1 to August 3, 2019, as fumigation and clearing activities were carried out to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from further breeding.
The local government also worked on strengthening and revitalizing RHUs by providing them with medicine dispensary units, medical equipment, and dental chairs.
In closing, the mayor vowed to continuously improve health facilities and services to provide excellent health care services to the public.
“Delivery of health services will now be continuously more efficient and accessible as I reminded RHU personnel to make themselves available at any given time to the public,” he said.