Be transparent in aid issues, Makna urged

Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry wants National Cancer Council (Makna) to be transparent in dispensing financial support to patients.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry had received numerous complaints from the public on difficulties in getting help from the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
“I strongly hope Makna, as a responsible NGO funded by public donations, will be transparent in its money matters, especially in disbursing funds to help the needy,” he said.
Dr Chua was responding to complaints from the public and several former Makna officials who had quit the organisation citing disagreement over the way the NGO was being run.
Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong was one of the prominent figures who had quit Makna, while educationist R. Bhupalan was voted out from the board of trustees.
On a different matter, Dr Chua said Makna wanted to conduct cancer screening.
“Makna president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin has approached me with the idea of allowing the organisation to screen cancer patients,” he said.
“We support the proposal provided Makna follows proper protocol as cancer screening is not like any other screening.
“The screening has a lot of implications as there could be a false positive or negative.
“We need to be sensitive in handling these tests and ensure they are done properly. Makna must follow up and follow through with the test results.”
Dr Chua said Farid had promised to work closely with the ministry on this matter.
“We wish to welcome any NGO interested in public health to work with the ministry,” Dr Chua added.