THE Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center’s Obstetrical and Gynecological (OB-GYN) Department was recently granted Level 2 Status by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (Pogs) - Committee on Hospital Accreditation for Service (Chas).
"We are working towards securing a Level 2 accreditation for our facility, by procuring modern medical equipment, and constructing intensive care units, pediatric, and gynecology services to better serve the people," RLMMC Officer-In-Charge Dr. Froilan Canlas said.
Amid the pandemic, the RLMMC OB-GYN department headed by Dr. Efren B. Natino managed to address the concerns of Angelenos while continuing to improve their services and facilities.
"Six years na tayong accredited as an OB-GYN department and this year, we managed to achieve a Level 2 Status. We were able to do this because we have highly competent personnel to handle our patients. Ibig sabihin ng status na ito, high-quality standard of service ang ibinibigay ng ospital natin,” Natino said.
Members of the Chas conducted a virtual inspection of RLMMC's OB-GYN facilities in March where they commended several aspects including a good number of OB patients; acceptable cesarean rate; no maternal mortality for two consecutive years; and prompt submission of data and updated Pogs Nationwide Statistics System (PNSS).
To further improve their services, the members of the Chas recommended the following: an increase in the number of OB-GYN staff certified by Pogs with subspecialty training; OB sonologist to scan OB-GYN patients; regular OB-GYN conferences such as peer review and maternal morbidity; precautionary measures to mitigate Covid spread; equip the LR/DR with at least 2 working fetal monitors for Covid and non-Covid cases and possibly an anesthesia machine that is readily available anytime; and a separate cubicle for high-risk patients, gyne patients, and an isolation room for infectious cases in the ward.
Natino also stressed the importance of having a residency training program.
"If we want to upgrade more, papuntang Level 2B or 2A, we need to have a residency program. We need residents, doctors who will train in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Increasing our trained residents would also mean we could service more of our constituents, no need to transfer them to other higher-level hospitals unless urgently necessary," he added.
Also known as Ospital ning Angeles, the RLMMC has played a crucial role in the city’s fight against Covid-19, providing the cheapest, sometimes free, medical treatment to residents, especially the indigent and vulnerable sectors.
Providing premium healthcare to Angeleños is one of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr's priorities.
"Health has always been one of the top priorities of my administration, and even that of my late father Carmelo 'Tarzan' Lazatin. We believe that a healthy citizenry is vital for a productive society,” he said.