The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Filipino cancer patients will receive support from the national government next year through medicine and financial assistance.
DBM allocated P2.02 billion for the procurement of cancer treatment drugs and budget for the cancer assistance fund.
A total of 18,695 cancer patients will benefit from P1.024 billion in funds under the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases program, covering the procurement of various cancer treatment medicines.
Additionally, P1 billion will be appropriated to the Cancer Assistance Fund, providing ongoing medical aid to 6,666 registered cancer patients across 31 cancer access sites nationwide.
The DBM has also budgeted P682.709 million to support 124,246 mental health patients.
DBM commits support for Filipino cancer patients
At a glance
The national government has assured Filipino cancer patients that they will receive assistance in the form of medication and financial aid next year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 22, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the government has set aside P2.02 billion to purchase cancer treatment drugs and allocate funds for the cancer assistance program.
Pangandaman said 18,695 cancer patients will receive support from the P1.024 billion fund allocated for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases program.
She said the budget will be used to acquire various cancer treatment medicines, including Trastuzumab 600 mg/5mL, Docetaxel 40 mg/mL, and Paclitaxel 6 mg/mL.
In addition, Pangandaman said that another P1 billion will be allocated to the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF).
The DBM chief said this fund aims to provide ongoing medical assistance to 6,666 registered cancer patients across 31 cancer access sites throughout the country.
CAF is a financial assistance fund for cancer patients, covering both outpatient and inpatient services such as treatments, medicines, and diagnostics.
The cancer assistance fund aims to address the expenses that are not covered by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), as Filipino families typically spend around P150,000 per patient for these services.
“When I see the patients, especially the children... sometimes, I can't help but cry. But I know in my heart that I need to be strong,” Pangandaman said. “And I remain strong in finding better ways to give them all the help and support they need.”
Meanwhile, Pangandaman said that the DBM has also set aside P682.7 million to provide assistance to 124,246 mental health patients.
She said the budget will be utilized to supply mental health medications, such as Sodium Valproate 250 mg, Paliperidone Palmitate 100 mg, and Haloperidol 5 mg/mL, to patients across 362 mental health access sites in the country.