COLOMBIA

On September 30, the Seventh Committee of the House of Representatives approved in first debate the bill recognizing that cancer patients have the right to special constitutional protection. The text provides guidelines for the development of a comprehensive cancer control strategy and offers definitions of palliative care and new technologies in the field. Likewise, the initiative declares cancer to be a disease of public health interest and a national priority for Colombia. The regulations will now be debated by the Chamber of Representatives, and the text will continue to be discussed in the coming weeks.

The bill establishes that the Ministry of Health must determine promotional and preventive actions, as well as early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care for cancer patients. In short, it foresees that the comprehensive cancer control strategy in the country should include the aspects contemplated by the National Cancer Institute. This policy must be shaped by ongoing input and advice from clinical and surgical scientific associations working directly on oncology issues as well as from representatives of patient associations.

The regulations also define that new cancer treatment technologies are tools requiring the application of empirical and scientific knowledge for a practical purpose. These technologies include new drugs, medical equipment and devices, medical procedures, organizational models and support systems necessary for their use in patient care. Additionally, the bill defines palliative care as that provided to improve the quality of life of patients with a serious or fatal illness.