SBCSG to set up branches throughout Sarawak
KUCHING: The Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group ( SBCSG) aims to set up branches in towns throughout the state.
Its president Datin Juriah Sulehan said this is part of the non-governmental organisation’s future strategic plan to raise awareness of breast cancer, which is the number one cancer which claims the lives of women.
“In Sarawak, there are around 500 to 600 breast cancer cases recorded at hospitals annually and women 41 to 55 years of age are at the highest risk of getting breast cancer,” she told a press conference after leading the SBCSG delegation to pay a courtesy call on Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah at her office in Baitulmakmur Building here yesterday.
Juriah said SBCSG aims to increase public awareness of breast cancer across the state so that more women will come for screenings.
“This is to detect breast cancer at an early stage so as to save lives.”
She added that other objectives of SBCSG include to provide moral support for those with breast cancer as well as to provide breast cancer screening.
Meanwhile, Fatimah, who also received a courtesy call from the Pink & Teal EmpowHer delegation led by its founding chairperson Dr Abigail Jerip, commended the efforts carried out by these two NGOs to raise awareness of breast and cervical cancers.
“The message conveyed by these two NGOs is that when early screenings are carried out, these can save lives and as such as we need to carry out breast cancer and cervical screenings and make it available to the people.”
She also touched on the upcoming Women’s Day celebration to be held at Penview Convention Centre ( PCC) on November 3 focusing on ‘ Women and Wellness’ as the theme.
“We must recognise the contribution carried out not only by health practitioners and providers but also healthcare volunteers and NGOs which have voluntarily carried out works to create awareness and educate people on various aspects of health.”
In addition, she said special recognition will also be given to the earliest group of midwives trained by the Medical Department in Sarawak.
“We have managed to track down a group of midwives who were providing midwifery services to women in rural areas during the fifties.
“Based on the records we obtained, these women have no formal background in health.
“But the leaders at the time found that these women have the capability to carry out midwifery duties. Following their contribution to the health sector in the state, we have decided to give them a special recognition for their services.”
Among the highlights of this year’s Women’s Day celebration, which is expected to be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, is the presentation of awards such as the Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib Award as well as the launch of the Sarawak Women and Wellness book on Nov 2.