KUCHING: The development of a RM1bil cancer centre in Sarawak is good news for the people of the state, says the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (Scan).
"Finally our request for a cancer centre is becoming a reality. We have been advocating for this for many years," Scan adviser Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain said on Friday (Oct 18).
She noted that the building housing the oncology unit at the Sarawak General Hospital was over 30 years old, while operating theatres and treatment and consultation rooms were packed and not conducive for cancer patients.
She was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement in tabling Budget 2025 that the Federal Government would work with the state government to develop the Sarawak Cancer Centre, which was estimated to cost RM1bil.
Scan president Chris Cheng said the construction of the cancer centre should come with the proper equipment and maintenance budget.
He said there should also be sufficient allocation of human resources as Sarawak currently did not have enough oncologists under the Health Ministry to serve a population of 2.56 million people.
Scan also urged the government to find ways to deliver newer drugs to patients who need them.
"Cancer treatment can be very expensive and out of reach of the B40 group especially and even the M40 group," Cheng said.
