Ctre:

FEDERAIA ASOCIAIILOR BOLNAVILOR DE CANCER DIN ROMNIA

Braov, 01.04.2012

PRESS RELEASEFederation of Cancer Patients Associations (FABC) organized on 30-31st of March the federations General Assembly where took part the representatives of majority FABC founding NGOs. Within the event the Federations action plan was established and the guidelines regarding the responsibility to the cancer patients, federation target public. Continuous activity performed by FABC aim to solve the patients problems, particularly the lack of treatment but also to lobby and advocate in order that cancer patients rights to be guaranteed, promoted and observed and to implement the needed measures for reduction the disease impact. The adhesion of two organizations - P.A.V.E.L. Association (the association of cancer and leukemia children parents cancer and leukemia children) and Association of Cancer and Hepatitis Patients Oltenia will provide FABC the opportunity to represent the cancer patients living in Oltenia and the children facing this horrifying disease.

Continuous activity performed by FABC proven by repeated open letters and memorials addressed to Ministry of Health and CNAS or the Romanian Ombudsman pinpointed the dramatic situation of the cancer patients lack of medicines. Another disturbing aspect that affects the treatment protocols is represented by the NICE recommendation to rationalize the medicines consumption. The cancer patients need the prescribed medication in accordance with the cancer stage, on certain period of times. A patients life expectancy cannot be subject of haggling between different government departments, accountants and the Romanias creditors. Should FABCs representatives consider that the pinpoints regarding the cancer patient is not be solved in the shortest time possible, are taking into account the organization of protest that aggregate the entire civil society.Another problem that impacts directly the cancer patients status is the questionable employment policy of the medical staff. According to the MD Body assessment the Romanian medical staff deficit counts about 40,000 medics and nurses. This shortage affects the cancer patients and FABC ask the Romanian government to take urgent measures in order to cope with this situation.FABC will submit an open letter to Ministry of Health and publicly enquire the date when the missing medication will be acquired by the state company UNIFARM and the solution until those medicines will arrive in Romania. We highlight that in Romania are missing 40 types of inexpensive cancer drugs, indispensable within treatment protocols and the oncologists are trying to keep patients alive without some medications. This lack of medication diminishes the patients life expectancy and quality, thus eliminating the cure possibility.Federation of Cancer Patients Associations (FABC) is a non-profit organization, an umbrella group, originally formed in 2005 as a necessity of all Cancer NGOs and Cancer support Groups to become a powerful voice in Romanian healthcare field.

FABC acts as an interface between members organizations and state institutions, European Health institutions.

32,000 members, patients, cancer survivals and volunteers sustained FABCs activities.

FABCs mission is to lobby, advocate for promotion, respect and guarantee the cancer patients rights, rising awareness on cancer and help patients by increasing quality of life, lobby to medication access, improving patient care.

Cezar Irimia

President

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