Published April 7, 2021, 5:09 PM
Health experts have urged the immediate formation of the cancer council to implement a law to protect cancer patients.
“It is very critical that the National Integrated Cancer Control Act Council has to be organized and convened. Based on the law, the council will act as a policy-making, planning and coordinating body on cancer control attached with DOH (Department of Health). If they are not convened, what is there to fund?” Paul Perez, president of the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines, said in a statement.
Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) was signed into law in February 2019, but it remains unimplemented, according to Fatima Lorenzo, president of the Philippine Alliance of Patients Organization.