Congress approves comprehensive cancer care law

Congress, as a matter of national urgency, approved a law that requires states to ensure special care for people with cancer.

In context: Cancer hospital, new project included in law being discussed by Congress

composition of a Public hospital specializing in cancer care This will be a reality, because Congress has approved with 130 votes a law that contemplates the work of this infrastructure.

The rules contained in Decree 7-2024, became a national emergency and, among other aspects, establish the rights of patients affected by this disease. These include diagnosis, treatment, provision of necessary medicines and surgical intervention.

In this framework, the so-called Comprehensive Cancer Care Act Establishes the obligation to provide services to the above sector, applying the following principles:

• proper medical care
• of humanity
• Clear, timely and relevant information
• confidentiality
• Ease of getting a second opinion
• urgent Care
• Complementary Comprehensive Care

This rule also obliges the Ministry of Health to create various programs, standards, rules and controls to ensure that adults and children affected by this condition receive full and free assistance.

To do this, specific national policies will have to be created, including policies against chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.

Case Registration and Budget

The proposal also proposes the creation of a National Cancer Registry, where data on the disease is collected, processed, organized and stored.

Similarly, the resources required for active search must be guaranteed, case monitoringRegistration and processing of information to improve patient care.

To comply with the regulations, the health portfolio will have an initial budget of Q600 million, with resources to be allocated to strengthening the national network of oncological services, equipment, infrastructure and necessary technology.

The Ministry may require additional funds if it is deemed necessary, but it must support Technical and budgetary opinion. The law includes a lockout to ensure that there are no shortages of approved items.

National Support Network

Another example that has been created with this regulation is a cancer support network, in which patients, family members, caregivers and survivors, as well as organizations that currently assist the sector, will participate.

Among other matters, they may issue policy recommendations and actions to strengthen care for people affected by the condition.

As approved by Congress, Law for Comprehensive Cancer Care It will come into effect eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette. From then on, health must take necessary steps to implement the following services:

• far away
• free information center
• Case reference and cross-reference system
• epidemiological surveillance
• genetic counseling
• Safety program for people suffering from cancer and their families
• Support Program for Labor Reintegration of Cancer Survivors
• Education for the prevention of cancer and chronic non-communicable diseases

As for the regulation, it will have to be published six months after the standard comes into force, based on a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Health.

heartfelt tribute

After the approval was made official, the representatives elected by the Semilla movement and now independents dedicated the law to their former partner, the deceased doctor. Lucrecia Hernandez Mack,

Ronald Ochetta said, “Lucretia, wherever you are, we know that behind that rainbow of eternity you are there with a big smile,” and recalled that the former MP was one of the speakers at the project.

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The person to thank for the creation of the rules was Carolina Cifuentes of the Vamos Bloc, a cancer survivor.

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