PH Cancer Center to strengthen fight vs deadly illness – Romualdez

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez leads the groundbreaking for the construction of the 20-story Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City on Friday, March 8, 2024. Romualdez said the facility will not just be an ordinary hospital as it is seen to redefine cancer treatment in the Philippines by integrating the latest medical advancements and fostering collaboration among specialists to provide a world-class environment for the treatment of Filipino cancer patients. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez said the Philippine Cancer Center could prevent the death of thousands of Filipinos from the disease.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the 20-story hospital that will rise in Quezon City, he pointed out that “[e]ach year, thousands are diagnosed, and even more are left to battle without adequate support.”

“This center is our response – to not only decrease mortality and morbidity but also to lessen the incidence of preventable cancers,” Romualdez said, noting that the ailment remains the second leading cause of death among Filipinos.

“We aim to transform cancer from a death sentence into a manageable condition that, when detected and treated early, can be overcome. We want to ensure strategic alignment with national cancer control plans, make treatment more equitable, affordable, and accessible, and improve the overall experience of cancer care for patients and their families.”

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The House leader said he knows the suffering of cancer patients and their families, as well as the high cost of hospitalization and treatment for the deadly illness.

He then expressed hope that the Philippine Cancer Center “will be a sanctuary for healing and hope.”

“Together, let’s build a future where cancer is no longer a feared enemy but a challenge that, with compassion, dedication, and innovation, we can overcome,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said the facility serves as  “a testament to our collective resolve against cancer” and “a milestone not just in the history of healthcare in our nation but in the lives of countless Filipinos whose battles against cancer have been long and arduous.”

“This center is designed to be more than just a hospital. It is envisioned as a comprehensive sanctuary for diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support – all under one roof. Our goal is to redefine cancer treatment in the Philippines, integrating the latest medical advancements and fostering collaboration among specialists to provide a world-class environment for our patients,” he said.

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“Hindi lamang natin bibigyan ng ospital ang mga may sakit ng kanser. Bibigyan din natin sila ng mga world-class na doctors at nurses na sasanayin natin at bibigyan ng kailangang suporta,” he added.

(We will not only provide hospitals for those with cancer but also equip them with world-class doctors and nurses whom we will train and support as needed.)

The 20-story specialty hospital will be built on a 5,000-square-meter lot inside the Blood Bank Complex in Quezon City.

According to the Speaker, the facility will also include lodging for relatives of patients and doctors from the provinces who are training in the hospital.

The House of Representatives, through the House committee on appropriations, allocated the budget for the Philippine Cancer Center under Republic Act (RA) No. 11215 and the Resource Stratified Framework set by the National Integrated Cancer Control Council.