Abu-Ghazaleh Forum Hosts Panel Discussion on the Comprehensive and Equitable Coverage for Cancer Treatment in Jordan

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  • 16-апр-2019

    Abu-Ghazaleh Forum Hosts Panel Discussion on the Comprehensive and Equitable Coverage for Cancer Treatment in Jordan

    AMMAN - Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum (TAG-KF), in collaboration with King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), held a national panel session to discuss the reality of access to cancer treatment and to to full health coverage for cancer patients in Jordan, under the patronage of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, with the participation of Ms. Nisreen Qatamish, Director General of KHCF, and HE Dr. Mohammad Al Tarawneh, Secretary General of the High Health Council, in addition to a host of Ministry of Health representatives, members of Parliament (MPs) as well as experts form different health and economic sectors.   
     
    The session comes in conjunction with World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 every year, to promote the importance of  comprehensive health coverage for all patients, under the theme 'Commitment to Ensuring Health for Everyone'. 

    In his opening speech, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh expressed his happiness to host the session, stressing that its topic is a top priority for all stakeholders that enforces them to find innovative and creative solutions for comprehensive health coverage of cancer patients, reiterating their right to equitable access to high quality treatment. 
     
    Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh referred to the financial and economic dimension required to accomplish this goal, referring to the need to improve public expenditure efficiency, to better maximize resources and develop sustainable funding programs to achieve development and health goals. 

    Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh also commended the KHCF’s great and noble efforts in combating and treating cancer under the leadership of HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, who contributed to reputation of the King Hussein Cancer Center as a well-known medical and scientific institution at a regional level.

    During the session, participants discussed the economic and social burdens of cancer and its treatment on institutions, governments and individuals, proposing solutions and suggestions for a national roadmap that ensures access to comprehensive and equitable health coverage for cancer patients in Jordan which would be considered a practical step towards achieving national healthcare security goals for patients in Jordan.

    In this regard, Ms. Qatamish said: “Cancer disease affects both the rich and poor, the young and old, therefore, it’s a joint national responsibility which needs to unite all efforts by national institutions and individuals to assure the best use of available resources, and to establish a clear mechanism for access by all patients to high quality healthcare based on principles of justice and sustainability.”  

    For his part, Dr. Tarawneh affirmed that: “Cancer treatment coverage is one of our priorities on the comprehensive healthcare coverage agenda which requires joining forces of all sectors to ensure citizens’ healthcare rights and contribute to fulfilling objectives of the national plans of healthcare reform.”

    It is noteworthy to mention that Jordan annually registers a total of 5500 new cancer cases among Jordanians. King Hussein Cancer Center receives, every year, approximately 60-65% of registered cases of patients of different ages from all governorates.

    The cost of treatment, which varies depending on the type of cancer, its stage and plan of treatment, is divided into pharmaceutical, chemotherapy and hormonal (60%), diagnostic tests and medical procedures and treatment (20%), in addition to 20% for operating expenses.