This Content Is Only For Subscribers
SIBU, July 10: A noodle stall operator is appealing for public donations to fund the cost of treatment for his stomach and brain cancer amounting to RM855,000.
“This amount is for my remaining one-and-half years of the two years’ treatment in Kuching. I have already undergone six months’ treatment at RM38,600 per month,” said Yong, 50, at a press conference at SUPP Bukit Assek service centre today.
As he had used up all of his savings for the six months’ treatment, he said it is a big burden for him to cover the cost of subsequent treatments.
Yong who is married with two children aged 13 and 23, said following a new type of treatment has suited him and he has experienced improvement in his health. He had also gained 10kg and is able to consume food.
He was diagnosed with Stage 5 cancer at Sibu General Hospital on December 2 last year.
A subsequent CT scan at a private medical centre in Kuching revealed a large tumour at his right renal area measuring approximately 10cm in size as well as the primary tumor.
The cancer cells then spread to nearby organs including his liver, inferior vena cava and right atrium (heart), lungs and brain.
The public may transfer donations to Yong’s Public Bank account number 4-3664950-20. Yong can also be contacted at 012-8161255 or through his sister, Yong Siew Yieng’s number at 012-8907311.
Meanwhile Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng said he had tried to help Yong to apply for a government subsidy to cover his treatment cost but was unsuccessful.
“The Health Ministry said as Yong’s new type of treatment is not listed in its Blue Book, it could not provide any subsidy,” he said.
Chieng said that the ministry should change its policy as new types of medical treatments are emerging.
“Sometimes you need to be flexible because different patients might need different types of medication. So, maybe MOH can set aside a subsidised amount of how much medication they can subsidise especially for the B40 families,” he said. — DayakDaily
