Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay expressed hope the Philippines will soon be included in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) plan to roll out free medicines for young cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries.
The WHO initially listed six countries as pilot sites for this initiative, including Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia. Binay welcomed this move since providing access to life-saving medications and treatments is one of her top priorities, if elected to the Senate.
“I look forward to our country’s inclusion as a pilot site for the WHO initiative. I also hope the Philippine government will follow the WHO’s lead and increase efforts to help young cancer patients recover, thereby sparing their families from debt and further hardship,” she said in a statement.
Binay noted that cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths among children in the Philippines. “Access to free cancer medicines would bring immense relief to families of pediatric cancer patients, who are heavily burdened by the high costs of treatment,” she added.
The seasoned public servant acknowledged that medications and treatment plans for cancer or other serious illnesses can be costly, especially for poor families. The WHO program, therefore, would be helpful should the organization extend it to the Philippines.
“Having cancer should not be a death sentence for those who cannot afford medication or treatment, whether it’s chemotherapy or radiation. Children with cancer need support to heal, grow, and pursue their dreams,” Binay said.
Under her administration, Makati City has been providing free maintenance medicines to senior citizens and residents with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions.
The city also offers free and unlimited dialysis and chemotherapy sessions to patients enrolled in the program.