Easing burden of cancer patients
> Makna provides financial aid to the needy through social workers department
KUALA LUMPUR: Cancer patients who need funds for their medical treatment at public hospitals can apply for assistance from the National Cancer Council (Makna) through the social workers department.
The department is based at the hospitals, said Makna’s general manager Farahida Mohd Farid.
“Previously, there was no specific mechanism to prompt the social workers department.
“With this system in place, they (the social workers) can utilise this operating system, (making it accessible for them).
“The information received will be keyed in real time, and once information is received by Makna, officers will visit the patient at home,” she said yesterday.
The total approval time frame takes two weeks, she said.
One of the challenges is for the social workers to familiarise with the system.
“Currently, the system, which was developed in-house, is on trial at six hospitals – Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Sabah), Hospital Umum (Sarawak), the National Cancer Institute, Ampang Hospital (Selangor), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre and Universiti Hospital.
“The system is expected to roll out nationwide in May,” she said.
Farahida was speaking to reporters at the Makna’s 16th Cancer Research Awards ceremony.
Earlier, Makna Board of Trustee member Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said medical research to eliminate cancer still has a long way to go.
“We are not there yet. Results are not produced overnight.
“But, every day that a researcher goes to work could be the day that brings us closer to new knowledge and breakthrough, and we must not give up until then,” he said in his opening speech.