As a society, we tend to not connect palliative care with children. — 123rf.com
KUALA LUMPUR: A series of medium and long-term initiatives to enhance cancer care services, particularly in rural areas, have been unveiled by the Health Ministry as part of the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans (RMK12 and RMK13).
In its medium-term initiatives, the ministry said it remains committed to improving holistic cancer treatment across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
"This includes increasing patient access to promotion, prevention, screening, immunisation, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care activities.
"Specialised, comprehensive and integrated cancer treatment services will be expanded for secondary and tertiary care.
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"These efforts will ensure the availability of modern medical infrastructure, equipment, drugs and a skilled workforce," the ministry said in a written reply to Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PH-Mersing) at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 5).
By 2025, the ministry said chemotherapy will be available in 41 hospitals nationwide, while oncology services for adults will be accessible at eight major cancer centres, including the National Cancer Institute and hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Kuching and Sabah.
The plan also includes deploying resident oncologists to Alor Gajah Hospital, Melaka, and expanding services through visiting specialists at two hospitals without resident specialists - the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang and Hospital Seberang Jaya in Penang.
Paediatric cancer care will also receive a boost, with services provided by paediatric units in 65 hospitals nationwide.
Further, paediatric hemato-oncology services will be strengthened at seven hospitals such as Hospital Tunku Azizah in Kuala Lumpur, and hospitals in Terengganu, Penang, Ipoh in Perak, Johor Baru, Likas in Sabah and Kuching in Sarawak.
The plan also includes placing resident paediatric haemato-oncology specialists at two Health Ministry hospitals, namely Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah, and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan in Kuantan, Pahang.
Additionally, the ministry plans to broaden radiotherapy services through the Hospital Services Outsourcing Program (HSOP) and enhance cancer risk detection and prevention initiatives.
These activities, including screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal and oral cancers, as well as HPV vaccinations, will be conducted not only in clinics but also through mobile health teams reaching out to rural and remote areas.
For its long-term plans under the RMK13 and beyond, the ministry aims to expand oncology and cancer treatment services by placing resident oncologists at six additional hospitals from 2026 to 2029.
The hospitals included Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan in Kuantan, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah, Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah in Muar, Johor, Hospital Tawau in Sabah, Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail in Batu Pahat, Johor and Hospital Duchess of Kent in Sandakan.
There will be further service expansions through visiting specialists to hospitals without resident oncologists, like Hospital Beaufort in Sabah and Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom, Kluang in Johor.
The ministry said the development of comprehensive cancer centres is another significant aspect of the plan.
"This includes the newly approved Sarawak Cancer Centre and the Northern Region Cancer Centre in Kedah, both in the pre-implementation phase.
"Plans also involve developing nuclear medicine and diagnostic services, such as the Nuclear Imaging & PET Service Project at Hospital Sultan Ismail."
By 2045, it said phased development of oncology facilities is expected across all states and major cities in Sabah and Sarawak.
"The ministry also intends to reinforce public-private partnerships through HSOP to maintain continuous access to cancer care services nationwide," it said.
