Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on February 16 and 17, 2021, with members of the Gender and Development Office headed by Mina Cabiles, personally handed over the medicines and medical equipment to RHU VI in Barangay Pulung Cacutud and its sub-health centers in Barangays Sapalibutad and Cutud, and RHU I in Barangay Sto. Domingo with its sub-health centers in Barangays San Jose, Pulungbulu, Sto. Rosario, San Nicolas and Lourdes Sur.
ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on February 16 and 17, 2021, has begun the distribution of medicines and medical equipment to the city’s six Rural Health Units (RHUs) and 28 sub-health centers to provide free and easier access to public health services in the 33 barangays.
Lazatin, with Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles and staff, personally handed over the said supplies to RHU VI in Barangay Pulung Cacutud with two of its sub-health centers in Barangays Sapalibutad and Cutud, and RHU I in Barangay Sto. Domingo with its sub-health centers in Barangays San Jose, Pulungbulu, Sto. Rosario, San Nicolas and Lourdes Sur.
The distribution to other health centers will follow suit.
“Gusto po natin maseguro na mayroong malalapitan sa lahat ng oras yung mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa oras ng pangangailangan o kagipitan. Ayoko po na may mga Angelenos na nagkakasakit dahil wala silang pambili ng gamot,” Mayor Lazatin said.
Mayor Lazatin is also prompting doctors and health workers to stay at their respective posts, especially when they are on duty.
“Huwag po nating hayaan na makarinig tayo ng mga reklamo na walang naka-duty sa mga health centers natin. Gampanan po natin ang mga responsibilidad natin bilang empleyado ng gobyerno,” he added.
According to Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, the city government has allotted a total of P1.5 million for the purchase of the medical equipment, while P5 million was allotted for the renovation and improvement of the city’s health centers.
GAD Officer Cabiles shared that a total of 1,386 boxes of medicines were given for free during the initial two-day distribution to RHU VI and RHU I and their sub-health centers including 248 boxes of Rifampicin capsules; 282 boxes of Isoniazid capsules; 186 boxes of Pyrazinamide capsules; 222 boxes of Rifampicin syrup; 226 boxes of Isoniazid syrup; and 222 boxes of Pyrazinamide syrup.
Meanwhile, Manuel added, part of the medical equipment distributed today include dental chair, weighing scale, aneroid sphygmomanometer, and blood pressure apparatus with stethoscope.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Lazatin wants to further strengthen the health programs of the city government.
To date, a total of 13,301 medicines have been distributed in the six RHUs and 28 sub-health centers, and 9,176 medicines in the City Hall Medical Dispensary Unit.
On February 2020, the city government also established the three-in-one clinic, the Puso Center, to provide free health services for Angelenos including minor surgeries, dental services, and an animal bite treatment center.
It can be recalled that it was during the stint of his father, former late Mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, that Angelenos were first able to receive free and readily accessible medicines from established public health centers.
