The chairperson of the House of Representative’ committee on appropriations on Friday assured funds for the implementation of the measure that calls for better care of cancer patients in government hospitals.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the panel chairperson, was referring to House Bill (HB) 6210 which institutionalizes the National Integrated Cancer Control Program.
Nograles authored the biIl which he filed last August 2017 and had been approved by the House committee on health.
“Upholding the funding requirements of the measure will put it one step closer toward its enactment, which can’t come sooner for Filipinos whose loved one are afflicted by this curse of a disease,” said Nograles, describing cancer as a “growing and serious public health concern in the Philippines.”
“The key word here is ‘integrated’ because what we want to create is a health program that brings together efforts on cancer awareness and treatment,” he said.
Nograles said that the envisioned National Integrated Cancer Control Program shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government.
The program’s objectives as are follows: 1) decreasing the overall impact and mortality of all adult and childhood cancer, 2) lessening the incidents of preventable cancer in adults, 3) preventing cancer recurrence and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer, and 4) providing timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all cancer patients.
The proposed National Integrated Cancer Control Act also seeks to 5) make cancer treatment and care affordable, 6) improve the experience of cancer treatment and care for patients and families, 7) support the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors, and eliminate the various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer, survivors, and their families.
“Through this bill, the state will be able to provide more PhilHealth benefits for cancer patients and access to better medication and health care services of the Department of Health [DoH]” Nograles said.
The bill establishes the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Board, which shall carry out the implementation of the program. The DoH secretary or a designated Representative not lower than an assistant secretary shall become the chairman in an ex-officio capacity.
Under the measure, the Board will develop standards to classify, accredit, and designate comprehensive cancer centers, specialty cancer centers, regional cancer centers, and cancer satellites or stand-alone clinics.
“This network of cancer care centers will be placed strategically around the country and be made easily accessible to patients,” Nograles said.
Perhaps the biggest concern of families with cancer patients is the daunting cost of the treatment since it could push them deeper into poverty. The Davao solon acknowledges this and presents a solution in his bill by setting up the Cancer Assistance Fund.
"With this trust fund in place, relatives of cancer patients won't feel that they are alone in their battle to save their loved one. And it really does become a long and at-times discouraging battle," said Nograles.
The 10-percent incremental revenue from the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products collected by the government pursuant to Republic Act (RA)10351 shall be made the main source of the Cancer Assistance Fund.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth shall expand current benefits to include screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment assistance, supportive care, survivorship follow-up care and rehabilitation for all types and stages of cancer in both adults and children.
Under the measure, the DOH will also intensify its cancer awareness campaign and provide the latest evidence-based information for the prevention and treatment of cancer including practical advice; support and referral for cancer patients, people living with cancer, survivors, their families, and carers.
Statistics show that one in every 10 registered deaths in the country is attributable to cancer. Since 2010, cancer has been ranked third in the list of Top 10 leading causes of adult mortality and morbidity and ranked fourth for child mortality and morbidity.
There are said to be seven Filipinos dying from cancer every hour, and this excludes deaths from childhood cancer.