KUCHING, Jan 14: The Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness (Scan) Kuching hopes with commitment from both the Sarawak and Federal governments, the proposed Sarawak Cancer Hospital can be completed by 2026 as the facility is essential for improving cancer care in the region, especially for those from underserved communities in rural areas.
Scan president Chris Cheng emphasised that Sarawak is the largest State in Malaysia, with only one hospital equipped with complete cancer care.
“There is a clear need for a cancer hospital in Sarawak to address the current shortage of beds, inadequate chemotherapy facilities, reduced operating theatre capacity, and need for radiotherapy facilities upgrade.
“These issues have a significant impact on the care and support available to cancer patients in Sarawak, and addressing them is essential for improving cancer care in the region,” he said in a statement today.
Scan was pleased to note that Deputy Premier Dato Dr Sim Kui Hian has pledged that the construction of a cancer hospital is an urgent priority in Sarawak. Furthermore, the Sarawak government has also indicated that it is willing to share the cost of funding the facility.
“As the new unity government takes shape, it is important that the need for the cancer hospital in Sarawak is not forgotten,” Cheng stressed.
During the recent Sarawak Patients Organisation Knowledge Exchange (SPOKE) organised by Scan, he emphasised that participants were unanimous in their call for a specialist cancer hospital for Sarawak and have identified a range of important issues for cancer patients and their families.
These included the need for a cancer hospital with improved amenities and diagnostic equipment, better patient psychosocial support and financial assistance, improved services and more trained healthcare professionals, improved information technology and expansion of cancer research.
“By addressing these issues, the Sarawak Cancer Hospital can provide comprehensive and effective care and support to cancer patients in the region,” he added.
“It is our duty as a patient organisation to ensure everyone, including those in the remote areas of Sarawak, has access to cancer care.
“In line with the Union for International Cancer Control’s (UICC) World Cancer Day theme, ‘Close the Care Gap’, it is our ardent wish that better care will be available for all patients in Sarawak, especially those from underserved communities so that together these patients will also be able to see many tomorrows,” he added. — DayakDaily
