Dire need for oncologists, says health minister
O ‘Malaysia has only 115 cancer specialists , less than half the number needed’
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry wants more young medical officers to undergo training in oncology to boost the nation’s capability in the fight against cancer.
The country now has only 115 oncologists, which is less than half the number needed for a population of 30 million, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Ideally, the ratio of oncologists to the population should be one to 100,000.
Of the 115 oncologists, 68 now work in private medical institutions, 33 work in public hospitals and the remaining 14 in universitybased hospitals.
Dzulkefly, who spoke to reporters at the launch of World Cancer Day 2020 at KL Sentral yesterday, said 15 doctors train to be oncologists through a master’s programme annually.
He said one way to increase the number of oncologists is to get the private sector to help by providing scholarships.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who was also present, said efforts were already being made to stir interest in the field among young medical students. “This is being done with the cooperation of the National Cancer Society.”
Malaysian Oncology Society president Dr Muhammad Azrif said only Universiti Malaya offers a master’s degree in the field.
On a separate note, Dzulkefly said the detection of cancer at late stages leads to higher cost of treatment but lower chances of recovery.
He expressed regret over the preference of some Malaysians who continue to seek traditional medicine or faith healers for treatment rather than proper diagnosis and treatment by doctors.
He said the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report 2012-2016 shows that 60% of cases are detected late – at stages three or four.
There were 115,238 new cases between 2012 and 2016, which was significant.
Breast cancer was the most prevalent, making up 34.1% of the total, followed by colorectal cancer at 11.1%. Cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lungs together account for 9.8% of all cases, followed by lymphoma cancer at 5.1% and nasopharynx cancer at 4%.
The aim of this year’s World Cancer Day, with the theme “I Am and I Will”, is to empower people, calling them to action to help reduce the ailment’s impact on society.