Forum calls on gov’t to create National Cancer Care Plan

LAST May, independent think tank ADR Institute for International Studies hosted a cancer discussion forum in cooperation with Philippine cancer experts, government health officials, patient support groups and representatives from hospitals, the academe and the industry.

Entitled “Setting the National Cancer Plan for the next administration,” the forum sought to create a consolidated roadmap to help the incoming administration efficiently and holistically address the rising incidence of cancer in the Philippines.

Financial crisis

Cancer doesn’t just ravage the body, it leaves patients and their families in serious financial crisis. Dr. Hilton Lam, director of the Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies of University of the Philippines Manila, shared, “Cancer in the Philippines is a deadly disease with almost 33 percent of those diagnosed dying within 12 months and 65.9 percent experiencing financial catastrophe. The systems we currently have in place are not adequate enough to protect cancer patients and their families from financial catastrophe.”

He stressed the need for a consolidated National Cancer Care Plan in the country, one that the incoming administration can implement to address the current gaps, thereby uplifting the lives of thousands of Filipinos afflicted with the disease.

Cancer is the second leading cause of the death in the Philippines, following cardiovascular disease. Many Filipinos who have been diagnosed with cancer simply cannot afford the treatment and care they need. Despite many innovations in cancer care over the years, the lack of financial support and access to these treatments explains why cancer mortality rate in the country remains high.

“There are 14 million new cases of cancer around the world and 8 million deaths,” said Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, founder of ICanServe Foundation. “We need to invest in a strategic and comprehensive cancer control and care program in the country. This is not an expense but an investment because the cost of cancer care exceeds the cost of investing in a cancer program. We need to devote resources to address the magnitude of the problem and we need to do it now.”

“Working together is the only way to get the best possible results,” added Dr. Madz Valera, former Department of Health undersecretary. “The burden of paying for cancer care should not fall under insurance alone. We need to work together to develop a medical practice guideline. This will be the basis of clinical pathway, which will help determine costing.”

Create, implement

“Leadership is going to play a big part in making these important changes,” said Girlie Lorenzo, executive director of Kythe Foundation. “To create a comprehensive plan we need to create new programs and combine them with the programs already in place. These new programs will be implemented at the local and national levels.”

Experts remain hopeful that the incoming administration will heed the call and and implement an all-encompassing plan to make cancer care, medication and treatment accessible for all Filipinos.