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SA layuning mabawasan ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong pumapanaw dahil sa sakit na kanser, inihain sa Kamara ang isang panukalang nagtutulak magkaroon ng isang komprehensibong programang tugon sa nasabing karamdaman.
Sa inihaing House Bill 7942, partikular na tinukoy ni Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez ang datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) kung saan lumalabas na pasok ang kanser sa ‘top three leading causes of death’ sa bansa.
Para kay Romualdez, ang late diagnosis sa isang indibidwal ang siyang malaking sanhi ng kapamakahan — bukod pa sa malaking halagang kailangan sa gamutan. pagpapagamot.
“A major factor contributing to this alarming reality is the late diagnosis of cancer cases, which not only reduces survival rates but also imposes severe financial hardship on affected families. Studies reveal that treatment of late-stage cancer can consume more than 30 percent of a household’s income, often pushing families into financial catastrophe,” wika ni Romualdez.
Sa ilalim ng HB 7942 (Strengthening Cancer Risk Screening, Profiling and Awareness Programs) na katuwang na inakda ni Tingog partylist Rep. Jude Acidre, inaatasan ang Department of Health (DOH) na makipag tulungan sa local government units (LGUs), barangay health workers at iba pang stakeholders para makapag patupad ng angkop na programa.
“The bill seeks to institutionalize annual community-based cancer early detection programs through risk profiling, barangay-level screening, and awareness campaigns across municipalities,” paliwanag ni Acidre.
Ayon kay Acidre, dapat magkaroon ng malaking papel ang barangay health workers (BHWs) pagdating sa cancer prevention, screening, health services at patient support sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasailalim sa kanilang sa kaukulang pagsasanay.
“By integrating grassroots health workers into systematic cancer risk detection and awareness efforts, the State fulfills its mandate under the Constitution to protect and promote the right to health, while complementing the objectives of Republic Act No. 11215, or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” aniya pa.
Kapag ganap na maipatupad ang iminumungkahi nina Romualdez at Acidre na Cancer Risk Screening and Awareness Act, unang masasaklaw ng early detection programs ang breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), and prostate cancers.
Sa pamamagitan naman ng rekomendasyon ng National Integrated Cancer Control Council, maaaring palawakin ang DOH ang nasabing listahan. (ROMER R. BUTUYAN)
