Cong. Edgar Chatto is successful in asking the Committee on Appropriations to look into the allocation for cyclotrons and PET CT scanners during budget briefing for the agency held on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
Chatto inquired on the direction and initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in addressing the need to lower cost for nuclear medicine.
He raised the importance of early diagnosis of cancer through the use of cyclotrons and PET CT scans which costs P70,000, also citing that 70,000 Filipinos die of cancer each year.
“Early diagnosis saves lives. This should be made more accessible and at an affordable cost especially to poor Filipinos,” he urged DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña.
Dela Peña explained this has been one of priorities of the country and the DOST in particular in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) in the planning and discussions.
He shared that the Philippines has the full support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hierarchy which handles global use of nuclear energy for health purpose.
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) Director Dr. Carlos Arcilla said although there is no cure for cancer, early diagnosis gives patients a fighting chance. The PET CT Scan, a nuclear medicine procedure, is the standard for cancer staging, he said.
He added that a Filipino expert from IAEA had joined the Balik Scientist program and has helped the agency design a research agenda which includes the setting up of a Nuclear Medicine Center that will reduce the cost of cancer diagnosis from P70,000 to about P20,000-P25,000. This is in partnership with DOH and the facility will also serve as training center of medical workers for the use of these technology.
Chatto lobbied for the allocation to make available the cyclotrons and PET scanners and make this health service accessible to underprivileged Filipinos afflicted with cancer.