Maayos na pondo sa cancer prevention, treatment kailangan – DBM chief

Maayos na pondo sa cancer prevention, treatment kailangan – DBM chief

February 23, 2023 @ 7:17 PM 1 month ago


MANILA, Philippines – Isinusulong ni Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ang dagdag na pondo para sa mga programang naglalayong labanan at maiwasan ang cancer sa bansa.

Sa kabila ng ginawang hakbang ng administrasyong Marcos sa pamamagitan ng Republic Act 11215 o ang National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), marami pa ang kailangang gawin upang matulungan ang mga Filipino na apektado ng cancer at mapataas pa ang cancer awareness kaugnay ng nasabing sakit.

ā€œWe have established the said sustainable financing mechanism and taken significant steps toward the advancement of the implementation of the NICCA,ā€ ani Pangandaman sa mensahe niya sa ika-apat na Philippine National Cancer Summit sa Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria nitong Huwebes, Pebrero 23.

ā€œYet, we have a long way to go and a longer list of things to hope for, such as better funding for better cancer research and development in the country, possibly a national research and development program for cancer control, and more facilities and better technologies for screening, early detection, diagnosis, control and care,ā€ dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi ni Pangandaman ang pahayag na ito matapos ang ilan taon niyang naobserbahan na nangunguna pa rin ang cancer sa dahilan ng kamatayan sa bansa.

Ibinahagi rin niya ang pagkabahala sa sitwasyon ng maraming mga Filipino kabilang na ang nasa upper-income brackets, na ā€œvulnerable to catastrophic health spendingā€ dahil sa mahal na gastusin sa gamutan at limitadong coverage ng cancer care sa ilalim ng umiiral na mga programa.

Sa pagtaya noong 2019, sinabi ni Pangandaman na nasa 60% ng kabuuang public cancer expenditures ay galing sa out-of-pocket payments at private insurance.

ā€œAs such, we should discuss public oncology financing through the advancement of the implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act or NICCA with sustainability in mind. Through this, we can provide our fellow Filipinos quality and affordable cancer-related healthcare that would last for many generations,ā€ aniya.

Sa kabila nito, umaasa naman si Pangandaman na ang inisyatibo ng pamahalaan ay magdudulot ng “cancer-free” na bansa.

“We continue to hope that we may one day soon have a future that is cancer-free. And seeing all the initiatives and actions being taken towards this makes me believe that it is possible. Rest assured that the Department of Budget and Management is one with you in realizing our aspirations for a cancer-free Philippines,” anang DBM chief.

ā€œWe have allocated PHP1.06 billion for the National Integrated Cancer Control Program to provide funding and support for cancer control activities, increase public awareness about cancer, its causes, and its prevention, and promote healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of developing cancer,ā€ dagdag pa niya.

ā€œMeanwhile, some PHP500 million is allotted for the Cancer Assistance Fund, which shall complement existing financial support mechanisms like the PhilHealth coverage and Malasakit funds,ā€ pagpapatuloy ni Pangandaman. RNT/JGC