DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the fund, which “aims to complement and supplement existing financial support mechanisms exclusive for cancer patients, persons living with cancer, and cancer survivors,” will be available until December 31, 2023.
“Malaking tulong po para sa ating mga kababayan itong nakalaang pondo for cancer assistance na maaari na pong magamit sa mga DOH hospital access sites at iba pang health facilities sa bansa,” she said.
“We hope that it will ease the burden of many cancer patients, as we know that cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst Filipinos,” she added.
Under the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2022-0002 prescribing the Implementing Guidelines for the Use of CAF, the DOH will manage the funds.
The DOH will transfer the funds to government hospitals through sub-allotment mechanism and to private hospitals through fund transfer provided they comply with the criteria set by the health department to become access sites for cancer control services.
The funds will be made accessible to both in or outpatient cancer control services, including but not limited to diagnostics, therapeutic procedures and other cancer medicines needed for the treatment and management of cancer and its care-related components.
It also aims to augment the financial assistance being provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), as well as by the Malasakit Program.
To qualify for assistance, the patient must present requirements that include his or her medical history and profile and treatment plan, both approved by physicians; doctor’s prescription; letter of request for financial assistance; and latest valid IDs. (SunStar Philippines)