President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday led the inauguration of the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) in Taguig City as part of the administration’s initiatives for easier access to quality cancer care in the country.
President Marcos emphasized in his speech that the opening of the HCCH will significantly enhance access to quality cancer care in the Philippines as he encouraged the public to maximize these kinds of programs, services, and facilities for cancer care.
“With the help of the HCCH, we can revolutionize the cancer care services industry in the Philippines through modern and state-of-the-art equipment, coupled with leading medical professionals and oncologists. It will certainly positively reflect on the country’s growing potential as a leading healthcare destination in Asia,” he added.
He also highlighted the strong partnership between the public and private sectors in strengthening the country’s healthcare system, in line with the administration’s Philippine Health Facility Development Plan and the Integrated Cancer Program.
Mr. Marcos stated that the government acknowledges the financial strain of cancer treatments, leading to the establishment of the Cancer Assistance Fund, which covers the expenses of cancer diagnostics and laboratories not included in PhilHealth.
For cancer treatment, the President said there are also 25 Specialty Centers in Cancer Care in select Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in the country.
The President called on all public and private stakeholders to keep backing the administration’s Philippine Health Facility Development Plan and to invest in constructing more health facilities like HCCH, guaranteeing them the government’s complete support.
Mr. Marcos said the HCCH is just a part of the administration’s goal of universal healthcare.
The HCCH is one of the deals the President witnessed on the sidelines of his participation in the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California.