Time for the Govt to walk the walk on cancer treatment

The Government’s intensive focus on executing an ambitious 49-point plan saw several campaign promises take root as new, reformed – and sometimes scrapped – policies. With the first 100 days now behind them, we need to keep the momentum going – especially when zoning in on the needs of our healthcare sector.

When it comes to treating cancer with modern medicine, National certainly ‘talked the talk’ during the runup to the election – and it was well-received. Now that the minister has gotten his feet under the desk, we want to see this Government ‘walking the walk’.

In fairness to Dr Shane Reti, the Health Minister hasn’t exactly been coasting in his new role these first 100 or so days. Our recent meeting showed he has a deep understanding of the complex and challenging subject matter of healthcare in New Zealand. However, the pressing demands in health cannot afford to sit in the waiting room any longer.

Cancer stands as the largest health issue in New Zealand, with 25,000 new cases and 10,000 lives lost each year. The Government's commitment to invest an annual $70 million into high-priority cancer treatments has the potential to be a game-changer for healthcare and prosperity in New Zealand.

The statistics surrounding cancer in New Zealand are sobering. Odds are, if you’re not affected by a cancer diagnosis personally, you likely know a friend or family member who is. And beyond casualties, cancer also plays a significant role in disability, lost productivity, and the ability of individuals to work and contribute meaningfully to society. One major problem New Zealand has at the moment, is that we do not have access to world-class cancer treatments like many of our trading partners have.

Just recently, the prime minister and Reti announced a raft of new health targets, including speeding up the time that New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer can expect to wait before starting treatment. While it’s positive to see the Government moving toward better health outcomes, it seems they may be putting the policy cart before the horse here. Shorter wait times are one thing, but more effective medicines should be the focus.

Effective cancer treatment is critical for ensuring a healthier and more robust workforce, and the economic benefits of addressing cancer statistics extend far beyond the healthcare sector. A healthier New Zealand contributes to a thriving economy and fosters a society where individuals can actively participate in both their personal and professional lives, making New Zealand an attractive destination.

The public health system simply cannot cover all needs for all New Zealanders, as some politicians have suggested in the past. Therefore, lawmakers should be encouraged to be more creative and flexible in considering better integration between the public and private sectors.

Doing so recognises the connection between individual health, overall productivity, and economic prosperity, the investment of $70m annually into cancer medicines signals a commitment to the health of our people.

I wish Reti well in his endeavours.

Phil Love is deputy chief executive of BusinessNZ