An MOH disease control division officer says the Health Ministry is considering using MySejahtera, with its large user database, to track non-communicable diseases (NCDs) instead of waiting for four-year population-based NCD studies.
The National Cancer Society of Malaysia says cancer screenings declined by over 80% in Malaysia as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which will result in higher cancer morbidity and mortality.
Khairy Jamaluddin says investments can be channelled into early detection and novel treatment to reduce the burden of cancer disease that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Understanding the needs of cancer patients will improve their quality of life, reduce lost productivity costs, and reduce substantial long-lasting economic burdens.
The government’s 12MP simply focuses on awareness programmes and cancer screenings without mentioning increased treatment, even though patients with chronic diseases worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Undiagnosed cancer cases suffered delayed access to biopsies and diagnostic scans in Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic, while outpatient appointments were cancelled and elective surgeries deferred, says an oncologist.