Section 9Sec./Art. 9

Cancer Care Infrastructure. - The DOH, local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies concerned shall strengthen the capability of public health systems and facilities, provision of services and continuum of care, through the following key activities:

(a) Allocate adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation or upgrade, inclusive of technologies and equipment for use in cancer treatment and care from cancer diagnosis to cancer rehabilitation;

(b) Develop robust and effective patient referral pathways across levels of health service delivery;

(c) Provide reliable supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related vaccines to patients by ensuring that health facilities and local health centers have sufficient supply of essential medicines and vaccines;

(d) Enhance the oncology related competencies of health providers in all levels of care and the capacity to collaborate and work effectively in an integrated, multidisciplinary settings;

(e) Institute workplace retention programs for priority oncology disciplines where shortages exist, and in underserved areas where there are no oncology related practitioners;

(f) Establish clear standards and guidelines for patient care, psychosocial support, palliative care and pain management, and cancer focused patient navigation for individuals and communities and to clearly provide individualized support during the cancer journey, facilitating access to information and resources as needed, throughout the cancer continuum of care;

(g) Establish and strengthen community level of care for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and people living with cancer, of all genders and ages;

(h) Ensure the proper recording, reporting and monitoring of cancer cases of all genders and ages, in all levels of care;

(i) Network and link-up with comprehensive cancer care centers, regional cancer centers, specialty centers, privately managed cancer centers and relevant health facilities and international institutions, for knowledge and resource sharing; and

(j) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the Council.