The Department of Health (DOH) has expanded the number of Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) access sites nationwide to 36 as part of efforts to improve cancer care through early screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Health Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa said the expansion supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen the country's health care system and improve access to cancer services.

Among the DOH's priorities is expanding public awareness by providing a complete list of accredited hospitals where patients can access the Cancer Assistance Fund.

The department also aims to improve geographic accessibility by increasing the number of access sites across the country, allowing patients in underserved communities to receive treatment closer to home instead of traveling to Metro Manila.

Herbosa also directed hospitals to expedite the processing of financial assistance requests to ensure eligible patients can receive up to P150,000 for diagnostic procedures, medicines and treatment.

The DOH is likewise establishing "Apex" referral centers to strengthen the delivery of specialized cancer care.

The Cancer Assistance Fund provides financial and medical support to cancer patients, survivors and individuals at high risk of developing the disease.

According to the DOH, the 36 access sites offer assistance for diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and selected medicines while helping reduce patients' out-of-pocket expenses. The program complements existing government initiatives such as PhilHealth benefits and the Malasakit Program.

The fund primarily covers eight priority cancer types: breast, childhood, gynecologic, liver, adult blood, head and neck, lung, and prostate, renal and urinary bladder cancers.

The 36 DOH-designated Cancer Assistance Fund access sites are:

National Capital Region

• Philippine General Hospital

• National Kidney and Transplant Institute

• Philippine Children's Medical Center

• Lung Center of the Philippines

• National Children's Hospital

• Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

• East Avenue Medical Center

• Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center

• Rizal Medical Center

• Tondo Medical Center

Luzon

• Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (CAR)

• Region I Medical Center

• Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center

• Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center

• Cagayan Valley Medical Center

• Region II Trauma and Medical Center

• Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital

• Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center

• Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center

• Batangas Medical Center

• Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital

• Bicol Medical Center

• Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center

Visayas

• Western Visayas Medical Center

• Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital

• Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

• Eastern Visayas Medical Center

Mindanao

• Zamboanga City Medical Center

• Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital

• Northern Mindanao Medical Center

• Amai Pakpak Medical Center

• Southern Philippines Medical Center

• Davao Regional Medical Center

• Cotabato Regional and Medical Center

• Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Provincial Hospital.