Free mammogram test for Capitol workers

CEBU, Philippines - All female Capitol employees will soon get free yearly mammogram test as a campaign against breast cancer.

The Cebu Provincial Board recently passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Thadeo Ouano to give the said benefit.

“We should take care of our female employees. If we have healthy employees, we have a healthy province,” said Ouano, adding that it should be treated as one of the incentives for the provincial employees.

A case to case basis will be observed for the male employees as suggested by Board Member Sergio Restauro, a doctor by profession and who chairs the committee on health.

Ouano filed the resolution requesting Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to provide appropriations for the annual mammogram test, which he said “is an effective and proven” early detection and prevention test to reduce mortality from the disease.

World Health Organization defines “breast cancer as a type of cancer that occurs when there is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the breast.”

Ouano, in his resolution, quoted the Cancer Registry of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) - Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center, which stated “breast and cervical cancer are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women.”

Arising from the discussion was the proposal of Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. for the province to provide a health care package that covers cervical cancer vaccination, mammogram test, among others to all Capitol employees.

Holganza’s suggestion was not taken as amendment as it would practically change the whole content of Ouano’s resolution.

His proposal was filed as another resolution which was also approved by the PB. — (FREEMAN)