ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. wants to strengthen the anti-tuberculosis (TB) measure of Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC).
RLMMC, formerly known as Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA), inaugurated its TB Drug Resistant Facility on Tuesday, November 12.
“The city government will pursue the establishment of more TB Centers in Angeles City and will further improve services and facilities at the ONA, including the provision for medical supplies and to strengthen the tuberculosis program of ONA,” he said.
The said facility is an extension of the existing TB Office for Treatment Area in the hospital, and was constructed with the help of The Rotary Club of Angeles North Inc., in partnership with D3670 Rotary Clubs in Korea.
They also turned over medical supplies, instructional equipment such as laptop, printer, LCD projector, portable speakers, among others.
“The support of the Rotary Club of Angeles North Inc. to help treat and prevent communicable diseases in Angeles City by creating the treatment center for tuberculosis is a commendable project,” the mayor said.
According to the mayor, the said event has marked another milestone in the common effort to eradicate tuberculosis.
In fact, a total of 2,505 persons here have received the provided treatment for TB.
This is also to join the campaign of the Department of Health to end the global health epidemic by 2030.
TB is a bacterial infection which primarily attacks the lungs.
This infection, despite being preventable, treatable, and curable, is still one of the world’s leading infectious disease.
“This is just one step in ending TB. This requires a shared action and responsibility from all sectors and care providers. May it be individuals, communities, business establishments, public and private sector, let us work hand in hand,” he added.
Moreover, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the Philippines Dr. Gundo Aurel Weiler wrote in his article, “This year’s World Tuberculosis (TB) Day theme is: ‘It’s time.’ It is an urgent call for action to urge world leaders to keep the promises they made at the first-ever UN high-level meeting on TB in New York last September 2018.” (PR)