The chairman of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation is pursuing the creation of a dedicated medical institution for Filipino cancer patients, especially for the less fortunate.
For this purpose, 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero filed House Bill (HB) No. 340, or the proposed Act creating the National Cancer Center of the Philippines, providing funds therefor and for other purposes.
“Cancer is recognized as one of the leading causes of death in the country, and it’s the government mandate to make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all,” Romero said.
“However, a dedicated institute should be established to cater and ensure treatment and care of cancer patients," noted the former deputy speaker.
"This proposed measure seeks to create the National Cancer Center of the Philippines, a hospital that specializes in cancer which will truly envision the purpose of the recently enacted law from accurate diagnosis, to timely and optimal treatment, and responsive palliative care and pain management up to late effects management and rehabilitation of cancer patients,” Romero explained.
He further said the creation of such specialized hospital will truly envision the purpose of the recently enacted law from accurate diagnosis, to timely and optimal treatment.
Romero noted that while there were provisions stipulated in the National Integrated Cancer Control Act to establish cancer centers at the regional health care level, there is a need to establish a specialty hospital at the national level to further enhance the noble undertaking of the government and likewise complement the said cancer control law.
Republic Act (RA) No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act acknowledges that cancer is recognized as one of the leading causes of death in the country and that the government should provide an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.
Romero said this should include the strengthening of integrative, multidisciplinary, patient and family-centered policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of existing health care delivery system, as well as making cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all, especially the poor Filipinos.