Amirudin: Program Selangor Saring aims to complement the state government’s existing policies and programmes.
PROGRAM Selangor Saring (Selangor Health Screening Programme) helps individuals to identify and understand their health status, then seek early treatment to prevent their conditions from worsening.
“It aims to complement the state government’s existing policies and programmes, such as Skim Peduli Sihat, which are more focused on getting medical treatment,” said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
“In identifying their health conditions early, Selangor residents would hopefully not need to spend as much to seek medical treatment, compared to finding out their health condition at a later stage,” he said in response to a question by Rozana Zainal Abidin’s (PH-Permatang).
Amirudin replied on behalf of state public health, unity, women empowerment and family committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who is on medical leave.
The early detection programme covers three screening categories namely; non-communicable diseases, cancer and eye-related checks.
“As of July 24, a total of 8,975 individuals have been screened in 30 state constituencies,” said Amirudin.
“The constituencies that recorded the highest number of attendees were Pelabuhan Klang and Pandamaran (716), Semenyih (514) and Balakong (602).”
“Out of the 1,528 individuals screened for cancer as of July 17, 25 samples came back positive. Colorectal cancer recorded the highest number of positive samples at 5.9%,” added Amirudin.
“Colorectal cancer screening was included as it is very active and is commonly found among men, along with prostate cancer.
“Cervical and breast cancers are among the diseases that are commonly detected among women.”
In ensuring patients received follow-up treatment after undergoing the cancer screening process, Amirudin said the Selangor government was collaborating with several panel hospitals.
“Those who tested positive for cancer markers will be referred to panel hospitals for further free follow-up checks with medical experts until the disease’s final confirmation stage,” he said.
“For screening of non-communicable diseases, patients will get their results on the Selangkah app and be referred to a Selcare clinic for free consultation sessions,” he added.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) brought up concerns of some constituents who cited their lack of confidence in the cervical cancer screening process as it was done in non-clinical premises.
In reply, Amirudin said organisers of the programme had provided suitable space for the cervical cancer screening process, such as tents offering sufficient privacy for the procedure.
“For example, an enclosed hall was used only for the screening in Kuala Selangor,” he added.
Dr Idris Ahmad (PH-Ijok) asked which consultant the state government referred to on cervical cancer matters, because the information on HPV swabs (Human papillomavirus test for detecting cervical cancer) was inaccurate, adding that the more accurate method was using pap smear tests.
Amirudin said he would need to refer Dr Idris’ question on the accuracy of cervical cancer screening methods to the agency in charge and that a written answer would be provided later.
