Create national cancer fund in Budget 2022, urges Klang MP

 

Klang MP Charles Santiago has urged the government to create a national cancer fund during the tabling of Budget 2022 this Friday.

He said this in conjunction with the breast cancer awareness month, which takes place in October.

“Breast cancer awareness month ends in a week. But it doesn’t end financial toxicity, the cost of screening and treatment, worsening quality of life or cancer-related stress,” Santiago said in a statement today.

Citing breast cancer as the most common type of cancer among women, accounting for 34.1 percent of all cancer among females in the country, Santiago said it is time to hold the government accountable for women’s healthcare.

“It’s really not about throwing statistics around to frighten the government. I have consistently done that over the years now.

“But it's time to hold the Malaysian government accountable for the right to life, access to affordable treatment and medicines and ensure no woman ends up in financial destitution for choosing to take care of herself,” he said.

Santiago noted a report by the George Institute for Global Health, where 51 percent of people who spent 30 percent of annual household income related to cancer care are pushed into financial catastrophe one year after diagnosis.

The report added “financial toxicity” from cancer care spending is causing patients to skip medical appointments and avoid buying medications they could not afford.

“This will become worse due to Covid-19 as poverty is associated with higher cancer rates, cancer risk factors such as obesity plus lack of access to cancer screening and treatment,” Santiago explained.

With the pandemic causing many middle-class households to slip into the B40 income bracket and more unemployment, Santiago stressed there is a need for a national cancer fund in Budget 2022 to ensure Malaysians can get affordable cancer care.

“The government, however, needs the political will to get this done,” he said.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz will table Budget 2022 this Friday, focusing on Covid-19 economic recovery and financial assistance for the B40 group. - Mkini