Makna Sees Light At The End Of The Tunnel For Cancer Patients

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- "There is hope".
This was the confidence placed by National Cancer Council (Makna) president, Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin that a cure for cancer could be found if western and eastern medication methods could be combined.
He said that Makna would allocate RM300 million for research and development (R&D) for the purpose over the next 15 years and which would include the construction of an R&D centre.
"We discovered that there are many secrets in the medication methods of the west and the east. I am seeing it with my own eyes as I read the records. There is much promise.
"I am confident that by marrying the occidental and oriental methods, one day we will find an effective antidote for cancer," he told reporters after officiating the Ninth Periwinkle Day Celebrations 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur Tower here Friday.
Besides this, Farid said that Makna would also launch its mobile cancer screening programme which uses digital technology from district to district to detect the disease early among the people.
"I have discussed the matter with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek who said his ministry might be able to help us in carrying out the exercise," he said.
The programme to detect breast, cervix, prostate and bowel cancer and which costs RM3.3 million, would be launched in the middle of next year while screening for other types of cancer would be conducted later, Farid said.
Meanwhile, he said that Makna also hoped to collect 10 per cent or RM150 million from the RM1.5 billion of one sen coins in the market in the next five years through its "Sens Saves Lives" campaign to help cancer patients.
"So far we have succeeded in collecting 90 million pieces of coins of one cent and five cents denominations through the Education Ministry," he said.
Makna which was formed in 1995 to help cancer patients in the country has so far provided aid to about 90,000 people afflicted by the deadly killer in terms of medication and finance.