Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has filed House Bill No. 4747, seeking the establishment of dialysis clinics in all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals, along with free dialysis treatments for indigent patients.
Under the measure, the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government units, will spearhead the creation of these facilities, prioritizing areas with the highest cases of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Each center will be fully equipped with dialysis machines, supplies, and staffed with trained medical practitioners.
“Marami sa ating kababayan na may CKD ang hindi nakakapagpa-dialysis dahil sa malaking gastos o kakulangan ng slots sa mga pampublikong ospital,” Lazatin said. “Layunin ng panukalang ito na matulungan silang labanan ang kanilang sakit.”
Public health remains a central focus of Lazatin’s legislative agenda. In a roundtable discussion with First District doctors on September 25, he also committed to building more Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Mabalacat City and Magalang.
As former Angeles City Mayor, Lazatin expanded the Renal Care Unit at Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center from 22 to 47 dialysis machines to address patient backlogs.
