IPOH: A total of 70,000 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations have been administered throughout the country since February this year.
National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Dr. M. Murallitharan said this encouraging figure is the result of the hard work of NCSM, along with the cooperation of volunteers, the state government, and other organisations.
Dr Murallitharan said the national-level 'Leaving No One Behind' HPV vaccination programme held in Tambun in February this year saw over 500 teenage girls and women from the Tambun parliamentary constituency receive the HPV immunisation, which protects them from cervical cancer.
"Since the launch, NCSM has visited various rural areas, including the states of Perak, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Sarawak," he said.
Dr Murallitharan said this in his speech at the official opening of Homes of Hope, a new temporary lodging facility for cancer patients and their caregivers undergoing treatment.
The facility, located on Jalan Kompleks Sukan, Kampung Simee, is a collaboration between the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and Caritas Malaysia.
The opening of the facility was officially graced by Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar's wife Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, Perak Health Department Director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha and Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, Right Reverend Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis.
The HPV vaccine protects against genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by up to 95 per cent.
About 1,500 doses of the vaccine worth about RM500,000 have been allocated for each parliamentary constituency.
In Malaysia, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women. More than 40 per cent of cases are diagnosed late, at stage 3 or 4, with only about 30 per cent of patients still alive within five years of diagnosis.
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On the Homes of Hope, Dr Murallitharan said since its establishment last year, the home has provided 30 beds and serves as a transit house for cancer patients at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB).
"The facility offers free accommodation, counseling, clinical psychology services, and food and nutrition support," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Feisul Idzwan said cancer treatment and care are not easy and can be financially burdensome.
He said with the temporary lodging provided by Homes of Hope, the burden on cancer patients undergoing treatment at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun is eased by the free accommodation and transportation services offered by NCSM.
"I urge all parties to offer support in any form to NCSM so that this noble effort cannot only be maintained but also expanded to other states across Malaysia.
"The launch of 'Homes of Hope' and the HPV Outreach Programme today represents a form of empowerment for NGOs and the state government to collaboratively implement health programmes within the community," he said.