Empowering cancer patients during a health crisis
THE Covid-19 pandemic has crippled almost every nation around the world. One of the most high-risk groups during the pandemic are the cancer patients.
Covid-19 has abruptly and radically changed the landscape of cancer care delivery in the country. Most cancer institutes of hospitals scaled down their operations to allow sufficient time for proper patient screening and to comply with social distancing guidelines. At the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Cancer Institute alone, patient visits to the Medical Oncology Clinic went down by 90 percent when it re- opened last April 2020.
The missed consultations and treatments may also mean missed opportunities for many patients who would otherwise have a better chance of adding years to life and life to years.
Hope from Within, an advocacy group dedicated to promoting cancer awareness, together with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), compiled an infographic which summarizes the list of hospitals nationwide currently accepting cancer inquiries.
Cancer patients in need of support may seek financial assistance by reaching out to the following:
Department of Health (DoH) Medical Assistance Program for Cancer
Office of the President (for guarantee letters) Office of the Vice-President (guarantee letters up to Php 5k)
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (DSWD AICS)
Legislative funds for healthcare (for guarantee letters if in public hospital)
Local Government Units (mayor’s guarantee letters)
SSS, GSIS, and Pag-IBIG loans Foundations and private organizations Everyone is also highly enjoined to sign the DOH’s Cancer Assistance Fund to Support the National Integrated Cancer Control Act to make quality cancer care accessible to more Filipinos.
Get the right support you need throughout the cancer journey in this time of pandemic. Visit Hope From Within website at https://hopefromwithin.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/Hopefromwithinph.