Tingog Party-list pledges P3M for expanded lung cancer screening effort

Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez 

Leyte-based Tingog Party-list plans to tap P3 million from their medical assistance fund to cover the biopsy test cost of 200 patients in a bid to expand lung cancer screening access in the Philippines. 

Partnering with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Philippines, Tingog signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to symbolize their shared commitment to detect lung cancer early and give patients a fighting chance against the devastating disease.

“This MOU represents the power of partnership and collective action. Government, civil society, the healthcare industry, and the international community coming together with one goal - to beat lung cancer”, said Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Romualdez.

The MOU was signed by Romualdez, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, AstraZeneca Philippines Country President Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines Medical Director Cyril Tolosa, Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCPh) Senior VP Menchie Auste, Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg, and British Embassy Health Advisor Liz Bautista.

Under the agreement, Tingog Party-list will work closely with AstraZeneca Philippines and CCPh to provide free biopsy tests to patients as part of the screening process to detect lung cancer early and improve survival rates.

Meanwhile, Acidre noted that the pact aims to improve access to life-saving diagnostic tests by bringing government services closer to the people.

“By working together, we can provide comprehensive support to lung cancer patients, from diagnosis to treatment, and ultimately enhance their chances of a healthier future," Acidre added. 

Ramin said that this agreement can deliver meaningful improvements, “with like-minded patient-centric partners such as Tingog and everyone here with us, we look forward not just to improving outcomes but to revolutionizing innovation and holistic patient care for more and more of our countrymen."

Lung cancer remains the leading type of cancer deaths in the Philippines. Many patients are diagnosed at late stages when treatment options are limited. But with early detection and screening, survival rates can improve dramatically.

“We have a difficult road ahead, but today we take an important step forward. Let us continue working to ensure Filipinos have the chance to live healthy, cancer-free lives,” Romualdez said.