SCAN welcomes cancer centre in Sarawak, calls for adequate resources and equipment

Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) logo.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 19: The Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) hopes that the planned Sarawak Cancer Centre will be equipped with proper medical equipment, sufficient maintenance funds, and adequate human resources.

In a statement today, SCAN president Chris Cheng pointed out that Sarawak currently has only seven oncologists under the Ministry of Health (MOH) for a population of 2.56 million people.

“This falls short of the recommended ratio of 1 oncologist per 100,000 people,” Cheng said.

His comments came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the Budget 2025 tabling on Oct 18 that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Sarawak Government to develop the Sarawak Cancer Centre, estimated to cost RM1 billion.

Cheng also urged the government to find ways to make newer cancer drugs accessible, particularly to the B40 and M40 income groups, as cancer treatment is often costly and out of reach for many.

“With an improved cancer care in Sarawak, we hope even those in remote areas will have access to necessary treatment,” Cheng added.

SCAN advisor Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain echoed this sentiment, celebrating the long-awaited approval of the cancer centre.

“Finally, our requests are becoming a reality after years of advocacy. The current Oncology unit building is over 30 years old, and its facilities are constantly overcrowded. Patients from across Sarawak must come to Kuching for radiotherapy sessions,” she said. — DayakDaily