The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the Quezon City local government for its free breast cancer screening program that benefitted 22,476 women in the city's six districts.
It said it received reports that of those who availed themselves of the program, 146 tested positive for breast cancer, eight underwent surgery at the East Avenue Medical Center, and 133 had mammograms at the Quezon City General Hospital.
In a statement, the CHR said: "The Commission believes that early detection is one of the key factors in improving breast cancer outcomes in the country. By providing free breast cancer screening, the state respects everyone's right to early detection and timely treatment, particularly women who are more vulnerable to the disease, regardless of their financial situation."
It cited a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) study which shows that cancer is the country's second-leading cause of death over the past few years, particularly lung, liver, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.
"Given these statistics, programs such as free breast cancer screenings are critical steps toward addressing this health-related issue," it said.
It highlighted Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides: "The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children."
It then expressed hopes that other local governments will take a cue from the QC government and offer similar services that would help ordinary Filipinos take better charge of their health.
"As we reaffirm our commitment to Filipino health equity, we encourage everyone, especially the government, private sector, and civil society organizations (CSOs), to prioritize and invest in free medical screening to detect diseases in their earliest stages, when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest," it stressed. .