State governments have been urged to provide a special allocation to the National Population and Family Development Board in the 2021 Budget in order for the agency to conduct the free mammogram and cervical cancer screening programmes for the community. — AFP pic
LPPKN chairman Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria said that the allocation was important to ensure that the community, especially the low-income households , could undergo health check-ups for early cancer detection without having to fork out more fees at private health centres. “If possible, in the upcoming 2021 Budget, any state which has yet to provide the special allocation for the mammogram and cervical cancer testing, or any other such initiatives under the LPPKN, can do so and we are prepared to receive and make available more such programmes.
Mohd Nizar, who is also the MP for Parit, said that this programme would allow women to undergo a free examination and any early detection or those at risk would be referred to a panel clinic or hospital for further medical attention.