Creation of info center for cancer patients sought amid COVID-19 pandemic

Healthcare advocates are asking the government to make it easier for cancer patients to gain access to healthcare as the country continues to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Laging Handa public briefing on Friday, Dr. Antonio Villalon of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology stressed that even though health services are available at hospitals, cancer patients are more at risk of becoming seriously ill.

The oncologist explained how establishing a "cancer information center" can help connect patients to specialists through telecommunication without the risk of exposure.

"Ang pinakamaganda sigurong pwedeng gawin ng gobyerno ngayong may pandemic, na iniiwasan ang mga pasyenteng pumunta sa ospital at lumabas, ay magkaroon dito sa Pilipinas na cancer information center," he said.

Like American Cancer Society's National Cancer Information Center, the proposed center will allow patients in the Philippines to seek help from designated medical experts from the safety of their homes.

"Doable 'yun," Villalon said.

"Ang importante nga lang ay may isang lugar na merong may trained personnel to answer the calls, 'yung mga tawag, 24 hours 'yon, na may sasagot sayo kung may nararamdaman ka. Merong sasagot sayo kung ano ang dapat mong gawin," he added.

"Wala pa tayong ganon. Ang mga pasyente, tatawag sa ospital, sa emergency room, then itatawagan 'yung doktor, mahabang proseso. Pero ito (center), napakadaling puwede natin sanang gawin, pero sa ngayon wala pa."

During the briefing, Karen Villanueva of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations likewise stressed how many patients are experiencing difficulties in terms of finances, transportation, and access to medical facilities amid the health crisis.

She also called for the swift implementation of healthcare law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last year, as well as the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, which aims to establish a National Integrated Cancer Control Council to steward policy formulation and programming.

"Sana po mabuo na po 'yung Cancer Council, importante po 'yun para sa ganon, maumpisahan na po nila 'yung workplan kasi marami po 'yung magandang mga plano para sa Cancer Control Act, so sana po maumpisahan na 'yon," Villanueva said. —KBK, GMA News