Pat Ramsey MLA
SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has urged the Health Minister to move to make a range of cancer treatments more accessible.
Mr Ramsey was speaking after MacMillan Cancer Support released figures revealing that 63,000 people in Northern Ireland currently live with the disease.
He said:
“There is no individual or family across the North that hasn’t been affected in some way by cancer. Today’s figures published by MacMillan Cancer Support make that very clear.
“While more people live, and live longer, with cancer, it’s important that we ensure everyone has access to the same high quality treatment options. My party colleague Fearghal McKinney MLA has pushed the Minister hard to establish a cancer drugs fund to allow equal access to a range of drugs available to patients in England. Equally Margaret Ritchie MP has pressed the British Health Minister to introduce gene testing for Ovarian Cancer to improve survival rates.
“Cancer is a devastating condition that will affect us all in some way. It’s important that we prioritise those suffering and do everything we can to make life saving and life extending treatments available.”
