KUCHING, Sept 19: The majority of newly diagnosed cancer patients in Sarawak are treated in local hospitals rather than specialised cancer centers, where cancer diagnosis, treatment and palliative care are conducted in both in the public and private sectors.
Dato Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian, a prominent figure in the progression of Sarawak’s health envisages having a cancer centre as the state is determined to not only providing state-of-the-treatment, researches.
Photo Credit: Siemens Healthineers
Apart from providing new and effective approach in prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
Therefore, a third proposal regarding the matter will be brought forwards once more with the newly appointed Prime Minister and Health Minister.
“We will need to start all over again.
“We are so near to finalising with PM Muhyddin and MOH Adham. Now we will work to discuss with PM Ismail Sabri and MOH KJ on the Sarawak Cancer centre. #resolve #thirdtimelucky,” said Sim on his Facebook page.
Sim, who is the Minister of Housing and Local Government said the estimated cost for the cancer centre will be about RM800 million to RM900 million.
Sarawak is confident that with the leadership of both Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Khairy Jamaluddin, the project will be approved.
The centre will cater the needs of Sarawakians as cancer, according to Sim is the second most prominent disease in Sarawak, just after the heart disease.
Recently, Sim witnessed the arrival of Siemen’s Single-Photon emission computed tomography or SPECT that greatly increase the capacity of the Nuclear Department in the Sarawak Heart Centre to support Cancer Services in Sarawak.
SPECT cost RM48.5 million, will remove the need for Sarawakians to travel to West Malaysia for cancer treatments.
“The standard norm for Ministry of Health (MOH) is practical for West Malaysia but its the opposite for Sarawak due to its sparse population over a large geographical distances.
“I would also like to thank our Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who also offered financial options to the federal government so that our people in Sarawak can have the best cancer facility locally as soon as possible.
“If you didn’t know, cancer treatment is extremely expensive. Many can’t afford it in private hospitals even with insurance coverage,” said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Advisor.
Siemen’s SPECT is the third device from seven medical equipment that has been approved for 2020/2021 by MOH.
The grand total of expenditure for these seven equipments is RM261 million.
