South African cancer patients too face multiple issues on a daily basis.
Campaigning for Cancer, a South African organisation focused on cancer patient advocacy, on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 confirmed its commitment to empowering cancer patients and promoting their rights with the launch of its website and Cancer Patients' Rights Charter.
The website, www.cancerhelp.co.za, offers tools to help cancer patients find advice on their rights. This will allow patients to take control of their cancer journey and ensure that they get the best possible care and support.
The Cancer Patients' Rights Charter is the first of its kind developed with the input of all those working in the cancer field. The Charter addresses the issues faced by cancer patients.
To view the charter, go to http://www.campaign4cancer.co.za/C_C4CAdv2.asp.
“Patients need to know that they have rights: the right to ask questions, the right to information in layman's language, the right quality care and support, and the right to quality of life,” says Neil Kirby, chairperson of Campaigning for Cancer and Director of Health, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences law at Werksmans Incorporating Jan S. de Villiers.
“Patients, along with their caregivers and families, play an extremely important role in the management of cancer. They must be encouraged to become active participants in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” says Samantha Galliet, a breast cancer survivor and co-founder and CEO of Campaigning for Cancer.
The website provides assistance to patients and care-givers that have been denied or limited access to treatment, benefits, medicine or healthcare - and wish to establish - what to do next.
“As the process differs substantially for those patients on medical aid, compared to those using Public Facilities the website explains what to do,” says Galliet.
For more information, go to www.campaign4cancer.co.za.
