Pak Lah wants cheaper cancer treatment available

Sun2Surf: KUALA LUMPUR: In memory of his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday pledged to ensure cancer treatment is affordable to all.
"This is now my aim and intention ...that cancer treatment should not only be affordable to those with money but also those who earn less. We will work on this.God willing, I will work on this," he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Recalling his ordeal when Endon underwent cancer treatment abroad, Abdullah said: "She told me her illness was too serious and painful to bear (sakitnya amat kuat dan terlalu berat untuk ditanggung) and perhaps there was a lesson to learn for herself, her family and others. The illness had really weakened her.
"But the lesson, I believe, is a stronger feeling among all on the need to fight cancer with greater effort, whether through education, prevention, or having more treatment and types of medicine which we hope can be cheaper or more reasonably priced."
He said Endon told him of several projects that she had initiated and hoped the Prime Minister would ensure such projects would be completed.
"God willing, I, together with the children, will help to ensure the success of the projects," he said.
He also appealed to those involved to continue with their efforts and responsibilities that would benefit the people.
Abdullah said this in response to a motion of condolence tabled in the house by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Abdullah also said he will continue to dedicate himself to his task and duty as Prime Minister.
"I believe this is the hope of my late wife."
The motion of condolence tabled by Najib was supported by the 13 BN component parties, three Opposition parties and a sole independent MP.
Abdullah said Endon had asked him to extend her apperciation to all who had helped her in carrying out her duties, especially in BAKTI, with particular mention of the Deputy Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
"If there were any mistakes and shortcomings, or any act she did or anything she had uttered that had hurt the feelings of her friends or caused difficulty to her friends, then let me on behalf of Endon apologise to them."
Najib, who is also BN Chief Whip, said one of the foremost things contributed by the late Endon was creating public awareness of the dreaded cancer.
"She was the inspiration to other cancer patients due to her strong fighting spirit and her courage in battling the disease," he added.
MIC president Datuk seri S.Samy Vellu seconded the motion and said he would support any move to set up cancer treatment centres in rural areas.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who apologised on behalf of his president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting for not being present because of the demise of Ong's mother on Sunday, said: "Endon's spirited and brave fight against cancer will always be a source of insipration to others facing similar battles."
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said the best way for all Malaysians to remember Endon was to emulate her humility, kindness, grace and quiet courage to stand up for what is right, true and noble.
"As I said to the grieving Prime Minister when I paid my last respects to Endon at Sri Perdana on Thursday morning: Be strong, Endon will want you to be strong. You have my full support."
Rounding up the debate on the motion, BN Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said: "I urge the government to help volunteers providing nursing care to cancer patients."