ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. led the formal opening of the newly expanded renal care unit at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) on June 18, nearly doubling the hospital’s hemodialysis capacity in a significant stride toward expanding free public healthcare in the city.
The expansion adds 20 new hemodialysis machines to the existing 22 units, enabling the facility to accommodate over 100 additional patients in need of regular life-saving treatment.
“We want every patient on our dialysis waiting list to be served — to give them a fighting chance, to extend their lives,” said Lazatin during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “That’s why we pushed for this expansion — to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to life-saving treatment.”
Currently, RLMMC serves 120 dialysis patients. However, with 227 individuals still on the waiting list, the expansion is expected to significantly cut delays and improve access to care.
To support the additional operations, the hospital has deployed 18 nurses, four technicians, four borderlines, five administrative staff, and two on-duty physicians to the new unit.
Built at a cost of P20 million, the extension facility is designed to be pandemic-ready, ensuring continuity of care even during future public health crises.
RLMMC chief medical director Dr. Froilan Canlas said dialysis services at the facility remain completely free, with only minimal documentary requirements for new patients to begin treatment.
Canlas also emphasized the importance of preventive care. “Hypertension and diabetes are the most common causes of kidney failure. People need to take better care of their health to avoid reaching the point of dialysis.”
He thanked the mayor for his unwavering support: “From the start, Mayor Pogi has made healthcare a top priority. This expansion is just one of the many proofs of that commitment.”
It has been a priority program of Mayor Lazatin to provide accessible, quality, and compassionate healthcare for every Angeleño.
The construction of the seven-storey new RLMMC is also in full swing, which will accommodate more patients with its 120-bed capacity.
Joining Mayor Lazatin during the renal health care facility expansion were members of the City Council, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Dr. Canlas, some department heads, and chiefs-of-offices. Angeles CIO
