Angeles City—Amid the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. kept his promise of prioritizing the health of all Angelenos as the Puso Center completed 32 minor surgeries on some of the city’s financially challenged residents.
Established in February last year, the 3-in-1 health facility composed of a minor surgery clinic, animal bite treatment center, and dental clinic aims to provide Angelenos 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 said some of the minor surgeries performed by Puso Center resident physician Dr. Rey Hipolito included 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, the doctor said.
According to the mayor’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, aside from the free medical procedure, patients of the Puso Center also receive free medicines and follow-up check-ups to ensure that their wounds will heal safely and properly.
“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,” she added.
Providing readily available medicine and quality medical services is also the mayor’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,” the mayor pointed out.