KUCHING: Sarawak needs more cancer centres which are well equipped with sufficient specialists in order to better cater to Sarawakians statewide.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the policy at the federal level of having one cancer centre in a state did not work in the context of Sarawak, in view of its vast land size and scattered populations, especially in the rural areas.
“This is something we are fighting for including at the state government level to ensure that there are cancer centres, not just a physical building but more importantly adequate, sufficient, and the right specialists to be at these centres so that Sarawakians are not deprived,” he said.
He said this during the virtual launch of ‘Many Tomorrows’ – a new music video by sape artiste Alena Murang for World Cancer Day – on Zoom and Facebook live on Thursday (Feb 3).
He shared that he had also been fighting consistently in Parliament for the government to invest in a national cancer fund in efforts to provide access to treatment and medication for the lower income group, especially the B40.
He said this was important to ensure that B40 families are not deprived of the necessary treatment and medication, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic where many families have suffered a blow to their income.
“We have seen how cancer has ravaged many families, not just on the health and physical side but also economically. Many families have fallen into struggle or even economic devastation – this should not be happening.
“Everyone deserves a chance to get treatment and it should not be reserved just for the rich and privileged because it affects us all,” said Dr Yii.
Expressing concern that many cancer cases in Sarawak are detected at a late stage, he stressed that this gap needed to be addressed not only in terms of education but also by preventing misinformation and ensuring that obstacles are removed, especially in the rural regions.
