To mark the fifth anniversary of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly launched the 2024-2028 National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP) Strategic Framework on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
In a statement, the National Integrated Cancer Control Council (NICCC) outlined its vision and mission, as well as ambitious goals for the next four years.
The framework, which emphasizes the importance of prioritization and capacity building, aims to strengthen the nation's fight against cancer.
“With the implementation of this strategic framework with our partner agencies, different medical and oncology experts, and partner patient groups, the DOH is confident that the NICCC and key stakeholders will rise above the challenges of cancer control, thus steering us closer to achieving the objectives of universal health care,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
Moreover, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus highlighted the critical role of universal health coverage and robust primary health care in ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care.
The WHO pledges continued support to strengthen the country's health system by implementing effective cancer control measures.
2nd leading cause of mortality
Meanwhile, cancer remains a significant public health challenge in the Philippines, ranking as the second leading cause of mortality in 2022, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Lung, breast, and liver cancers top the mortality list, as reported by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer-Global Cancer Observatory (IARC-GCO).
In line with this, the enactment of the NICCA in 2019 marked a pivotal moment in the country's fight against cancer, enhancing access to cancer centers, providing financial support, and establishing a multi-sectoral council for policy-making and coordination in cancer prevention and control.
The DOH highlighted that the key provisions of the NICCA include the establishment of the Cancer Assistance Fund and the Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program, which provide financial support and free medicines, respectively.
Additionally, Cancer Specialty Centers and Primary Care Facilities have been designated to provide comprehensive cancer care and prevention services.
Furthermore, the DOH's health promotion campaigns, such as "KonsulTayo" and "Tara, Love" play a crucial role in educating Filipinos about behaviors that can reduce the risk of cancer.
It pledges to intensify efforts toward prevention and early detection services to alleviate the burden of cancer.