The senator stresses the need to invest in public healthcare.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, continues to advocate for increased funding for the Cancer Assistance Fund under the Department of Health, particularly for the 2024 General Appropriations Act .
“Ngayon po isinusulong natin na madoble po ito na maging P1 bilyon at sa pagkaalam ko kulang talaga ito sa dami po ng mga nagkakasakit ng cancer. Talagang pipilayan ang pamilya tuwing nagkakanser ka, pilay na po ang inyong pamilya, halos hindi na po nakakatrabaho ‘yan, nakafocus na po sa pagpapagamot,” he added.
Section 20 of NICCA states that cancer patients are granted access to free financial assistance for various needs. These encompass everything from essential screening tests to specialized treatments, diagnostic procedures, palliative care, and the vital medications that are instrumental in their journey toward recovery.