RM340mil cancer institute underway

Star: PUTRAJAYA: An institute to treat cancer patients is finally underway.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who performed the ground breaking ceremony for the National Cancer Institute at Precinct 7 here Tuesday, said the RM340mil centre was for the people.
"The number of people suffering from cancer is increasing, so we need to provide the best treatment," he told a press conference.
Abdullah lost his wife Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood to breast cancer in October 2005.
Abdullah said cancer was feared by many and for those afflicted, they felt that it was a death sentence.
"If we get treatment at the early stage, we can still lead a normal life. What is important is that we need to understand cancer.
"And for those who have a family member who has cancer, we need to support them," he added.
The Prime Minister also directed the Health Ministry to start hiring medical personnel and identifying the latest equipment to treat cancer.
"While waiting for the project to complete in 30 months, we need proper planning for everything to be in place.
"Medical personnel must be sent for training and equipment ordered. I don’t want to hear criticism over the Government buying obsolete equipment or that we don’t have sufficient experts."
Abdullah also asked the ministry to look into ways to provide cheaper treatment for poor patients.
The institute, located on a 5.8ha site in front of the Putrajaya Hospital here, will be under a private finance initiative scheme.
It will not only offer the latest forms of treatment for cancer patients but will also be a centre to train oncologists and to conduct research on the killer disease.
Among the facilities available will be radiotherapy and oncology, nuclear treatment, surgical oncology, palliative care and daily comprehensive treatment.