ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. led the inauguration of the newly expanded Renal Care Unit (RCU) at Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) on June 18, 2025 — nearly doubling its hemodialysis capacity in a major push to provide accessible and life-saving healthcare to more Angeleños.
The expansion introduced 20 additional hemodialysis machines, raising the total to 42 units. This upgrade will allow the hospital to accommodate over 100 more patients who require regular dialysis, significantly reducing the waiting list for treatment.
“Our goal is to ensure no patient in need of dialysis is left untreated,” said Mayor Lazatin during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This expansion is about giving people a second chance at life and fulfilling our commitment to public health.”
Prior to the expansion, RLMMC served 120 dialysis patients. However, 227 individuals remained on the waiting list. With the additional machines and expanded space, the hospital aims to cut delays and serve more patients efficiently and effectively.
To support the increased capacity, RLMMC deployed additional personnel including 18 nurses, 4 technicians, 4 borderlines, 5 administrative staff, and 2 on-duty physicians. The ₱20 million facility is also designed to be pandemic-ready, ensuring services continue even during public health emergencies.
RLMMC Chief Medical Director Dr. Froilan Canlas confirmed that dialysis services remain completely free, with only minimal documentation needed for new patients. He also emphasized the need for preventive healthcare, citing diabetes and hypertension as leading causes of kidney failure.
Dr. Canlas commended Mayor Lazatin for his ongoing support of public health. “Mayor Pogi has always prioritized healthcare, and this renal unit expansion proves that,” he said. Meanwhile, construction of a new seven-story RLMMC building is ongoing, which will further expand the hospital’s capacity with 120 additional beds for patients.
Source: Angeles City Information Office
