Keningau Hospital needs mammogram machine, says NGO
Published on: Thursday, November 07, 2019
By: Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Kinabalu Pink Ribbon (KPR) appealed to the government for a mammogram machine for Keningau Hospital so that women here could benefit from a speedy and affordable mammogram services, said its President, Nancy Tham.
She said that one reason why women in Keningau are often diagnosed (with breast cancer) at the late stage is because they cannot get mammogram services here.
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“Not everyone can afford the costly travelling expenses to government hospital in Kota Kinabalu,” she said at the launching of Keningau Kinabalu Pink Ribbon (KKPR) Support Group at Sabah Handicraft Centre here.
Assistant District Officer (Development), Yusof Awang Ali who represented District Officer, Hassan Mahali, launched the event.
On the programme, she told that the vision to set up a support group in Keningau was voiced out early 2016 by the then President, Hajah Natrah Datuk Haji Arif, a Keningau resident herself.
She said, at that time, Natrah felt a strong need for KPR to expand its community services to Keningau and neighbouring towns.
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“Thus to evaluate the feasibility the set-up, in April 2016, KPR organised a two-day event for breast cancer awareness programme and Awareness Pink Walk.
“We were greatly encouraged by the big turnout and support from communities within and around Keningau. “Former Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan not only officiated the Walk but also joined the 1,500 participants in the event,” she said.
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However, she said, due to some unforeseen circumstances and the change in KPR Executive Committee, the idea to set up the support group was shelved.
Nancy said until late last year when a remark from Breast Clinic of Hospital Queen Elizabeth 2 (QEH II) that Keningau is among towns that has high incidence of patients coming in late for (breast cancer) treatment and a tendency for patients to apply traditional medicine or even at worst, seek bomoh services for a cure.
By then, she said, after these women finally decided to go to the hospital they are already in the advance stage of cancer (stage 3 or 4), which is too late for treatment.
“But today, our aspiration for a Support Group is finally realised as we celebrate the official setting up of Keningau Kinabalu Pink Ribbon (KKPR).
“I am very pleased to announce that KKPR will be headed by Yvonne Dumpangol who will be aided by her team of (breast cancer) survivors who are committed to serve. The KKPR will also cover Tambunan and Tenom.
“Yvonne, a second year breast cancer survivor, is home grown. She has participated in several of our outreach programmes and was one of the three members selected to attend the “4D3N Train the Trainers” programme recently in Pahang organised by Kuala Lumpur Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation,” she said.
Nancy said, Yvonne would be assisted by Regha Anandan, who has been and will continue to be a pillar of support for the association.
She is confident that under Yvonne and her team, KKPR will be an asset to the community.
According to her, KPR core values are in the area of breast cancer awareness promotion, breast health education and advocacy and patient welfare assistance.
Likewise, she said, the support group’s ultimate goal is the betterment of fellow breast cancer patients through organised activities, government assistance and collaborations with relevant health institutions and NGOs.
She also express her gratitude to Yusof Awang Ali for gracing the occasion.
“To Datuk Ida Undan, former Senator, we like to thank you for having generously offered part of your office for the support group’s temporary use. I am sure you are mighty proud of your daughter. In the meantime, we have applied to the District Office for a vacant government house to be used as the support group’s activity centre and we certainly hope the District Office will approve our application.
“To Dr Kathy Khadizah, wife of the District Officer. This morning she represented Puspanita Keningau as the Chairman.
Thank you for being with us together with your team. Dr Kathy has been most supportive of KPR. In August this year, Dr Kathy has organised a community programme in Keningau that was aimed at raising awareness among women on breast cancer prevention,” she said.
She said the KKPR will be KPR second support group in additional of which the first one is in Tawau which was set up in 2013.
With this, she said, KPR and its two support groups will be able to reach out to a wider coverage of women that are in need of emotional support to fight breast cancer.
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Nancy said that no one can understand the pain, uncertainty and anguish than the survivors who have successfully beaten the disease or others that are still fighting it.
She called upon the public and private sectors from Keningau and its neighbouring towns to give support and assistance to KKPR to ensure its success as Yvonne and her team is truly passionate and committed to give back to the community.