“Recognizing that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines”, Republic Act No. 11215 (R.A. 11215), known as “An Act Institutionalizing A National Integrated Cancer Control Program and Appropriating Funds Thereof” was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last February 14, 2019.
R.A 11215 or The National Integrated Caner law was sponsored by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon party-list group and Antipolo Representative Chiqui Roa-Puno. Rep. Roa-Puno said that for so long, “cancer patients and their loved ones have been carrying such a heavy burden,” and this new law will finally ease their burden.
R.A. 11215 provides that the State “shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, which includes the strengthening of integrative, multidisciplinary, patient, and family centered cancer control policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of the existing health care delivery system.”
Specifically, R.A. 11215 calls for:
- the formation of a National Integrated Cancer Control Program
- providing Quality Health Care Systems
- the conduct of Cancer Awareness Campaigns
- providing Affordable Cancer Care and Treatment, Essential Medicines, Supportive Environment for Persons with Cancer and Cancer Survivors, and
- the implementation of a Cancer Registry and Monitoring System.
R.A. 11215 also provides for the institution of a Philippine Cancer Center to be under the control and supervision of the Philippine General Hospital, and also the establishment of similar centers around the regions.
With this new anti-Cancer law, it is hoped that the mortality and impact of cancer will decrease and prevent recurrence and metastasis. View or download the full text of R.A. 11215 below.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/02feb/20190214-RA-11215-RRD.pdf
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