KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson says cancer is among the non-communicable diseases that is causing financial distress for Jamaicans and costing the Government millions to treat.
“A diagnosis of cancer can cause financial ruin of a family. I gave an example recently of a drug for breast cancer that cost $200,000 per dose and 18 doses are required for treatment. That is $3.6 million for just one aspect of treatment,” said Dr Ferguson
“This is not affordable for the average Jamaican family. This however is the reality among many persons in this country,” he lamented.
Dr Ferguson, speaking Friday, September 6 at the official launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2013 held at Rooms on the Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann explained that many families in Jamaica face the prospect of paying out millions of dollars to treat cancer and other NCDs.
“Among these conditions cancer is being highlighted for special focus not only because of the emotional anguish it causes but also because mortality statistics show that as a group cancer is the second leading cause of death among women and the third leading cause of death among men in Jamaica. The cost to treat these diseases from the standpoint of the government is significant,” Dr Ferguson said.
A 2001 CARICOM study estimated that Jamaica spends an estimated 6 per cent of its gross domestic product or just over US$460 million on treating diabetes and hypertension alone, the Health Ministry said, adding that a World Bank study in 2011 reported that an individual suffering from NCDs spends approximately one third of household per capita expenditure on healthcare services and purchase of pharmaceutical drugs.
