New heart care facility in Angeles City inaugurated

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ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The new intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) at the Ospital ning Angeles here was formally opened on Tuesday.

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan led the inauguration and blessing of the ICCU, the first publicly owned and operated cardiac unit in Central Luzon.

Pamintuan said the ICCU is another milestone achievement of the city government which was accomplished through public-private partnership for development.

The mayor collaborated with his long time friend, Dr. Rey Albert Franco, a cardiologist from the United States; and Engineer Geromin T. Nepomuceno Jr. of the Angeles Electric Corporation, who funded the said facility through his foundation.

“We believe that this is a major breakthrough in public service -- as such, we know that this facility will cater to countless Angelenos who suffer from heart ailments.” Pamintuan said.

Franco, on the other hand, said that this new development is timely and beneficial, as most people nowadays die primarily of heart failure.

“People are dying primarily not because of kidney problems, but because of heart failure. As a way of giving back to the Angeleños, I offered the mayor my services cheap -- and by cheap, I meant free,” said Franco, who will serve as consultant and act as head of the cardiology department.

The new cardiac unit has state-of-the-art equipment and three electronic beds.

“Gerry (Nepomuceno), together with his foundation, has always been very supportive of the city’s endeavors. He has helped accomplish various projects for Angeles, including the removal of spaghetti wires in various areas and, recently, the donation of a fire truck to the local government,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Nepomuceno said that, as private individuals, this is their own way of giving support to the local officials and help to the Angeleños.

Witnessing the inauguration were ONA director Dr. Antonio Dizon, hospital staff, members of the city council, and other local government and barangay officials.