Why we need an Integrated National Cancer Act (2)

Last week this column ran the alarming cancer statistics in the country and the reasons behind the need for an Integrated National Cancer Act proposed by the Cancer Coalition Philippines. The coalition is seeking the passage of a law that would “expand efforts to effectively manage and control cancer, in all its forms, by increasing investments for its prevention, early and accurate detection, optimal treatment, and by adopting an integrated, multidisciplinary, and patient/family centered approach.”

Here are the proposed provisions in the law:

1. Strengthening of cancer care infrastructure and service delivery networks to cover the continuum of care. Public health facilities shall be strengthened to provide services spanning prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative and hospice care, survivorship follow-up and rehabilitation. This entails providing investments in health facility renovation or upgrade; providing reliable supply of medicines, biologics, and other supplies; training and enhancing oncology-related capacities in pathology, radiotherapy, surgery, nursing care; establishing clear protocols for patient navigation and palliative care; ensuring proper recording and monitoring of cancer cases; and ensuring that recording and monitoring extends to primary healthcare units. Regional cancer centers shall likewise be designated in strategic areas to improve access to optimal care and reduce patient costs.

2. Strengthening the capacity of human resources for health in cancer care. A competency-based curriculum for all healthcare workers providing cancer care treatment and support at all levels of the healthcare service delivery system shall be created, including multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary approaches to cancer care.

3. Strengthening the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA shall strengthen its regulatory capacity to ensure availability of safe, efficacious, quality medicines, biologics, and other health technologies for cancer patients. It shall develop policies facilitating clinical trials and supporting early access to innovative therapies and health technologies to ensure the highest possible fighting chance of survival among cancer patients.

4. Institutionalizing funding and social protection mechanisms for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families through:

1. Establishment of a Cancer Assistance Fund to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures for diagnosis, treatment, follow-through survivorship care and rehabilitation services. This may be sourced from pooled and integrated funds from the Departments of Health and of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., among others.

1. Development and/or expansion of PhilHealth benefit packages to include all forms of cancer including metastatic cancers and high-risk cancers in children.

1. Nondiscrimination. Access to healthcare services should be provided without discrimination regarding race, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Patients should also be free from discrimination based on their disease, with respect to both employment and health insurance accessibility.

5. Establishing a National Cancer Registry and surveillance system and evidence generation. All public and private health centers, hospitals and facilities shall observe notification protocols to alert the DOH of all cancer cases.

6. Conducting national and regional research and demonstration projects to generate evidence to improve policies and implement the Integrated Philippine Cancer Control and Management Program.

7. Strengthening health promotion, information, and education programs. Health promotion and education activities shall be strengthened in schools and learning institutions, workplaces, and communities, and among vulnerable, at-risk, and disadvantaged populations. A National Cancer Information Office shall develop platforms (e.g., interactive websites) to provide comprehensive cancer information services to cancer patients, their families, the public, and health professionals.

8. Establishing national cancer screening programs. Identifying cancer at the earliest possible stage means that treatment is less costly, cure is most likely, survival rates will increase, and health outcomes will become more positive.

You may sign the petition at https://www.facebook.com/CancerCoalitionPH.

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