1,500 B40, Orang Asli Individuals To Benefit From MASCHON Health Initiative

IPOH, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) is targeting 1,500 individuals, particularly women from low-income (B40) households and members of the Orang Asli community, through the SDG Community Health Observation Centre Network (MASCHON) initiative, launched today.

NCSM managing director Prof Dr M Murallitharan said that it will focus on seven parliamentary constituencies, including Tambun, Batu Gajah, Alor Gajah, Karak and Iskandar Puteri.

“MASCHON is an important platform to empower communities with health knowledge and data. Through this collaboration, we aim to ensure that women and the Orang Asli community not only receive treatment, but also take an active role in monitoring and improving their own health,” he said.

“Our main focus is to promote inclusive participation in the SDGs, particularly in addressing local health issues, such as sexual and reproductive health, malnutrition, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the launch of the Malaysian SDG Community Health Observation Centre Network (MASCHON), at Dewan NCMS-CARITAS, here, today.

Also present was political secretary to the Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim.

Dr Murallitharan said that the initiative will focus on three key areas: nutrition and healthy eating, sexual and reproductive health rights, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“We have been operating for about two years at this site, and last year we successfully provided free HPV vaccinations to more than 20,000 women across Perak, at an estimated cost of RM7 million.

“This year, we are continuing the initiative, in collaboration with partners across Perak, conducting cancer and health screenings through mobile clinics, as well as community activities in every district,” he said.

The National Cancer Registry Report 2017-2021 recorded an alarming trend in Perak, with 65.3 per cent of cancer cases detected at stages three or four (late-stage diagnoses), compared with 63.7 per cent in the previous five-year period.

Perak also ranks among the top three states with the highest incidence of several cancers, including breast and lung cancer.

The total economic loss to the state from cancer is estimated at RM6.94 million annually.

-- BERNAMA