Kuala Lumpur, 30 September 2018 – In the lead-up to the World Cancer Congress 2018 being held in Kuala Lumpur this week, the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia today organized the “Advancing an agenda of hope and action on cancer in Malaysia” event. It brought patients, caregivers, public and private cancer specialists, non-governmental organisations, politicians and representatives from relevant government ministries to be updated on the situation of cancer care in Malaysia.

The following were launched at this event:

• The Cancer Care Working Group, a group of patients, cancer specialists, health professionals and cancer advocates working in covering areas including service delivery, research, prevention, information and support, care and treatment, and patient involvement. The Cancer Care Working Group aims to help influence public policies which improve outcomes, treatment and care of cancer in Malaysia.
• A Publication “Cancer Policy Recommendations for Parliamentarians & Policy Makers – Improving Cancer Treatment and Care In Malaysia” intended to provide concrete, short-term and long-term policy recommendations to Members of Parliamentarians and relevant policy and decision makers in addressing specific challenges relating to cancer treatment and care in Malaysia.

Five short-term recommendations which can be achieved with minimal effort (low hanging fruit) including removal of dual referral charges and standardization of treatment fees across public healthcare, improving the quality and availability of national cancer data, and providing medical and non-medical support to low-income and resource-limited patients.

Eight long-term recommendations which require greater institutional reforms to policies, strategies and services on cancer care includes ensuring stronger and improved government accountability, establishing multi-sectoral consultative and partnership mechanisms, adopting sustainable healthcare financing strategies, reforming Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) legislation and regulations relating to cancer, improving public drug procurement policies, and establishment of cancer survivorship services as part of cancer care.

YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin, ADUN for Bandar Utama and representatives of YB Maria Chin Abdullah, Member of Parliament (Petaling Jaya) were present to receive the policy recommendations from cancer patients. Former Ministry of Health Director of Family Health Development Division Dato’Dr. Narimah Awin, who is also a breast cancer survivor delivered the keynote address.

 

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