The Senate adopted the legislative initiative extending leave for adult cancer patients’ companions attending check-ups and investigations.

The Senate adopted, without a single vote against it, the legislative initiative under which family members or people close to adult cancer patients could receive leave and an allowance when accompanying them to important medical checkups and investigations. The bill, introduced by USR MPs Ciprian Rigman, Adrian Wiener and Ovidiu Paraschivescu, was sent to the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body.

At present, the legislation allows leave and an allowance to be granted to people accompanying adult cancer patients for surgical procedures and treatments. The amendment to Law No. 158/2005 would extend this right to medical investigations as well, if the accompaniment is requested by the patient and recommended by the attending physician.

The initiators argue that the measure would reduce the financial pressure on families and provide patients with concrete support during a difficult period. The cancer care pathway may include tests, imaging investigations, interdisciplinary consultations, monitoring and repeated procedures, requiring travel, long waiting periods and emotional effort. The bill is due to be debated and voted on by the Chamber of Deputies.