TTF:One in 10 Malaysian men and one in nine women are at risk of getting cancer, says the most recent Malaysia National Cancer Registry report made public by the Minister of Health, Dato’ Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (see news item below).
Interestingly, Mahathir went ahead and appointed one of Dzulkefly’s own colleagues in Pakatan Harapan as Minister of Finance despite the latter’s nonchalant attitude towards cancer sufferers.
On the 21st of August 2018, TTF commenced a series of publications pointing to a conspiracy by the Lim Guan Eng administration to conceal the activities of an illegal factory that operated in Kampung Sungai Lembu, Penang (CLICK HERE TO SEE DOCUMENTS).
The said factory, built not long after the DAP wrested control of Penang in 2008, released plumes and plumes of carcinogenic (cancer causing) fumes and ash that village residents were forced to inhale.
The fumes were allowed to billow into the open for years from pits of burning sawdust and caused the incidence of cancer in the said village to exceed the national average by a factor of 23.
On the 15th of August 2017, Guan Eng admitted that his government knew of the negative impact the factory had on villagers but ‘vindicated’ himself by alleging that his administration complied to a policy of ‘non-interference’.
However, right after TTF’s expose, the Chief Minister quickly declassified the minutes of a state municipality (MPSP) meeting before telling newsmen that the minutes ‘proved’ that his exco, Phee Boo Poh, had properly dealt with the issue.
The minutes concerned a meeting that took place on the 6th of May 2015.
A quick check by TTF revealed that a clause within the said minutes was clear on the DoE’s objection to burning conducted by the factory in open space.
Not only did Guan Eng fail to highlight this, he made no mention of the two directives his administration issued to MPSP, telling the local authority not to interfere in the factory’s affairs.
Worse, he kept secret from Malaysians a tragedy that occurred on the 6th of May 2015.
While the aforementioned meeting was in progress, a lorry driver delivering sawdust to the factory fell into one of the 31 burning pits and suffered 93 percent burns on his body (READ FULL STORY HERE).
The driver succumbed to his injuries later that very day, proving that the factory was not just a health hazard, but an occupational one.
The method employed by its operator was never questioned or investigated by the state administration in any capacity following the said tragedy.
However, the MACC did take Phee to task for obstructing the course of justice by telling MPSP not to interfere in the factory’s affairs.
But there has been no word from the MACC regarding the matter ever since Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election (GE14).
And today, the man who may have caused the deaths of many innocent villagers is serving the Government of Malaysia as Minister of Finance.
KUALA LUMPUR: One in 10 Malaysian men and one in nine women are at risk of getting cancer, according to the most recent Malaysia National Cancer Registry report.
As part of its efforts to encourage early screening, the Ministry of Health is allocating RM20 million to protect women’s health next year.
The recent Budget will benefit 70,000 women to get free mammogram screenings, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes as well as pap-smear tests.
Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said at present, one of the most challenging aspects of managing cancer patients at public hospitals was the timeliness and accessibility of post-operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
“The new government is very serious in ensuring the health of the people is top on the list, hence we will take every effort to make sure the cost of healthcare is affordable and effective.
“I’m extremely concerned about the rising number of cancer cases both globally and in Malaysia. Adopting a healthier lifestyle to decrease illnesses is of utmost importance. Not taking charge of our health can cost us our lives. Time is of the essence, when treating cancer.
“About 100,000 Malaysians suffer from cancer each year,” he said at the relaunching of the Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) Cancer Centre today.
PHKL is currently the private hospital with the most number of oncologists, supported by medical and surgical consultants.
Also present at the event was Lembah Pantai member of parliament Fahmi Fadzil and PHKL head of oncology services Dr Mastura Yusof.
He said apart from these preventive measures, there was also a need to be financially equipped as costs of treatment can be a major burden on not just the individual, but their family as well.
“As part of our efforts to address these issues, the ministry will pilot the ‘Peduli Kesihatan’ programme for the bottom 40 per cent (B40) group as announced during the tabling of Budget 2019.”
In Malaysia, cancer contributed to 13.6 per cent of all deaths in government hospitals in 2015, compared with 8.9 per cent in 1996.
The National Cancer Registry 2007 documented 57.6 per cent of cancer cases were diagnosed at stage three and four.
Source: NST Online
