KUCHING:
The Sarawak branch of Together Against Cancer (TAC) Malaysia’s task force is
pleased that both Barisan Nasional (BN) and PKR are touching on the topic of
healthcare in the run up to the state election.
Sarawak
BN’s point no 9 in its list of 15-point manifesto says ‘Enhance accessibility
to health service’ whereas PKR’s 18-point roadmap includes ‘Healthcare for the
rural’ in point no 9.
“Cancer
is in fact a leading cause of death in Malaysia. According to the Global Burden
of Disease Study 2010 (GBD2010) [1] years of life lost, cancer ranks fourth
after circulatory diseases (heart disease and stroke), infection and injury.
The
International Agency for Research on Cancer through its GLOBOCAN project [2]
has estimated that there were 37,400 new cases of cancer and 21,700 cancer
deaths in Malaysia in 2012. The top 5 ranking cancers in Malaysia are breast
(5,410 cases), large intestine (colo-rectum 4,539), lung (4,403), cervix
(2,145), and throat (nasopharynx, 2,030).
“A person’s
lifetime risk of getting any cancer in Malaysia, depending on their race,
varies from 20 per cent to 35 per cent. In other words, at least one in every
five persons will likely to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
Isn’t it alarming?” said a press release from TAC.
The task
force was formed earlier this year after a workshop on Cancer Advocacy
education by TAC Malaysia to work on a few key initiatives in support of
improved cancer care particularly for Sarawak to be achieved within the next
five years.
Though
more specific and more recent data for Sarawak cancer occurrence is not easily
made available, there are currently only five oncologists in Kuching (public
and private combined) serving the entire Sarawak with the population of 2.6 million.
The
adequacy of number of oncologists to the rising needs of cancer treatment is
truly valid.
Also,
there is not even a State Cancer Hospital in the capital, but only an Oncology
Unit (RTU) at Sarawak General Hospital where patients from all the cities,
towns and villages in Sarawak flock in to seek consultation from the only few
oncologists for their treatment ranging from surgery to chemotherapy,
radiotherapy and other drugs administration.
TAC is
pushing for the setting up of a state cancer hospital in Kuching to cater to
the increasing treatment needs for Sarawak; enabling access and reducing
logistics problems for Sarawakians by establishing centres of cancer care in
various cities with adequate number of medical oncologists and staff; setting
up of state Cancer Drugs Fund; and Cancer Health Education and Early Screening.
“We hope
that the political parties understand better the needs for better cancer care
for Sarawak and genuinely make an effort to make things happen, when they are
given the opportunity to serve the people for the next five years.”
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