ANGELES CITY – Amid the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. remains true to his promise of prioritizing the health of all Angeleños, as the Puso Center completes 32 minors surgeries on some of the city’s financially-challenged residents.
Established on February 27, 2020, the 3-in-1 clinic, composed of a minor surgery clinic, animal bite treatment center, and dental clinic aims to provide Angeleños with easy access to quality and free healthcare.
“Marami sa mga kababayan natin ang walang kakayanang magbayad sa doctor o magpunta sa ospital, kahit may sakit sila. Sa pamamagitan ng Puso Center, matutulungan natin silang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan nila, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” Lazatin said.
Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel shared some of the minor surgeries performed by Puso Center’s resident doctor Dr. Rey Hipolito include the removal of lipoma, abdominal mass, ear and skin tag, foot warts and the excision of cysts on the back, tendon, index and ring finger.
The clinic’s newly-installed skin cauterizing machine, the Neo-Frecator, was also used on one patient to minimize tissue damage and further infection, Dr. Hipolito said.
To ensure that the machine will work properly, an initial inspection was also done by Executive Assistant IV Manuel and Dr. Hipolito. Manuel also personally oversaw the renovation and repair of the Puso Center, prior to its launching last February.
Meanwhile, according to Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, aside from the free medical procedure, patients of the Puso Center will also receive free medicines and a follow-up check-up to ensure that their wounds will heal safely and properly.
To ensure the safety of Angeleños being treated at the Puso Center, its medical staff makes it a point to implement the necessary COVID-19 protocols, Calaguas added.
“Para mas lalong mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga kababayan natin na nagpupunta sa Puso Center, sineseguro ng medical staff dito na inoobserbahan nila ang mga safety at health protocols laban sa COVID-19,” Calaguas said.
“Ini-ischedule ng maayos yung pagbibigay ng free anti-rabies, pati na rin yung mga minor surgeries na ginagawa dito, para ma-maintain pa rin ang proper social distancing,” Manuel furthered.
Providing readily available medicine and quality medical services is also Mayor Lazatin’s way of carrying out his father’s legacy, former Angeles City Mayor and Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.
“Gusto kong ipagpatuloy yung magandang nasimulan ng tatay ko, yung pagtulong sa mga kababayan natin na walang-wala sa buhay. Wala tayong pipiliin. Lahat dapat pantay-pantay lalo na pagdating sa tamang kalusugan,” Lazatin said.