Bangkok: The government has firmly stated that it has never implemented a policy to cut the budget for the "Cancer Treatment Everywhere" initiative to fund hormone medicine for transgender individuals. It assures that the budget supporting cancer treatment remains sufficient and cautions against the spread of misinformation that could harm citizens battling cancer.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Karom Polpornklang, deputy government spokesman, addressed the issue of false information circulating on social media. The misinformation claimed that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) would redirect funds from cancer treatment to transgender healthcare. However, the NHSO clarified that this was untrue and a deliberate misrepresentation intended to mislead the public. The NHSO confirmed that the Cancer Anywhere program remains fully operational, with all guidelines and announcements intact. Medical facilities can continue to claim expenses for radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and treatment of cancer-related complications without the need for referral forms. The NHSO ensures that budgets will be allocated to service units directly, streamlining patient access to necessary treatments.
Mr. Karom further explained that starting April 1, 2025, the "Cancer is treated everywhere" policy will allow patients to receive treatment at designated hospitals with cancer treatment capabilities, maintaining the status quo as per the previous announcement. This includes access to radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and other necessary services without requiring patient referrals.
Mr. Karom issued a warning to those spreading false news, stating that government agencies are actively tracking the sources and IP addresses of those disseminating this misinformation. He urged individuals to refrain from sharing unverified information to prevent any additional distress to cancer patients.