The government in January announced a plan to create a network of cancer hospitals and channel more than PLN 5 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) for the treatment of various cancers by 2030.
President Andrzej Duda on Thursday signed the plan into effect after it was approved by Poland's parliament, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Under the law, health centres around the country are expected to provide comprehensive cancer care based on well coordinated efforts by specialists in various medical disciplines, according to officials.
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski has said that the new system aims to ensure that every cancer patient, "regardless of their place of residence," is provided with "care meeting the same diagnostics and therapy standards."
Outlining the reform in January, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters that "cancer is a serial killer, reaping a deadly harvest in Poland."
Some 180,000 Poles are diagnosed with malignant tumours every year, according to Morawiecki.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP
