Makna offers cancer patients loan for business

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The National Cancer Council (Makna) is offering an interest free loan to needy cancer patients to help them start a business.
Council president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin said the microcredit facility, ranging between RM3,000 and RM5,000 would be given to those who had recovered from cancer and in need of money to start small businesses.
“We have selected two people for the pilot project which started two months ago.
“Right now we are evaluating the scheme and once the system is perfected, it will be officially launched and cancer patients who are eligible can apply for the loan,'' he told newsmen after closing the “One Sen and Five Sen Campaign'' at SMK Cheras here yesterday.
The campaign which was conducted in two stages – in 2003 and 2004, saw the generosity of the public when about 80 million one sen and five sen coins worth RM467,463.55 were donated.
Mohd Farid said Makna has set-up its own credit control unit to handle the new service.