RM224m gift for cancer patients
Published on: Tuesday, December 23, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Over 200 new cancer cases are reported in Sabah yearly and this justifies the setting up of the RM224 million Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said, Monday.Thanking the Federal Government and Health Ministry, in particular, for making the facility available, he said it would provide more convenience and comfort to people in the State suffering from cancer. "Previously, we did not have such a public facility and those in Sabah had to rely on Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) or were sent to the peninsula or Sarawak for treatment. This was very time-consuming and inconvenient, apart from being costly for patients and family members," he said, when opening the centre at the Women and Children Hospital in Likas.
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Musa said this was another proof that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government, through the Health Ministry, continuously strives to provide the best facilities and services for the convenience of people, including cancer patients, in Sabah. He was impressed with the state-of-the-art equipment during a tour inside accompanied by Health Ministry Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, State Health Director Dr Christina Rundi and hospital and centre's officials. "The Government is always committed to developing and assisting people, specifically in Sabah. As a caring and responsible government, we will continue to double the effort to bring in more development for the wellbeing and prosperity of people in the State," he said. He urged the people to work hand-in-hand with the Government in ensuring every development project meant for the people is successfully completed for the benefit of all.
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On the limited parking lots in the said hospital, Musa assured that the State Government through the Land and Survey Department would look into it. "I will talk with the Land and Survey Director immediately after this," he told a press conference. Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said those diagnosed with cancer no longer need to go out of the State for treatment and follow-up treatments, as everything can be done here.
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The Ministry also plans to increase the number of specialists, including oncologists, particularly Sabah. He said for oncologists alone there are presently at least 100 serving in public and private hospitals, although only two in Sabah. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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