KOTA KINABALU: The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (Liam) is working closely with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) to ensure 100,000 deserving girls across the country receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
Its chief executive officer Mark O’Dell said the programme, which is part of the association’s corporate social responsibility, will provide essential HPV vaccination to girls from the underprivileged, rural and vulnerable communities.
He said the vaccination is vital in preventing HPV and HPV-related cancers, especially cervical cancer.
Liam, as part of its 50th anniversary, is contributing RM3mil to NCSM from the collective contribution of 14 life insurance companies and two reinsurance companies in the association, he added.
“It (NCSM) received free doses (HPV vaccines) from the manufacturer, but money is needed to reach girls in this group aged between 13 and 20. So we are going to (identify) these girls and vaccinate them.
“This vaccine is very effective ... 90% very effective against cervical cancer,” he told Bernama.
The “Leaving No One Behind – HPV Vaccination Programme” focuses on engaging, educating and vaccinating girls in 162 districts throughout Malaysia, while using a comprehensive approach encompassing health communication, behavioural change intervention, and efficient health services.
O’Dell said the association also donated RM650,000 to non-governmental organisation the Rose Foundation to carry out tests on women between the ages of 30 and 60 for the virus that causes cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers among women, is caused by a virus.
“Vaccines can tackle it, but if you already have the virus, you can get rid of it before it turns into cervical cancer. So, the Rose Foundation is all about testing,” he said, adding that the virus can be transmitted though saliva, sexual contact and any kind of connection, and also manifests itself decades later.
He said the foundation has reached out to the low-income group and residents in the rural areas of Sarawak.
O’Dell said although cervical cancer is specific to women, men and boys could become virus carriers so it is important for them to also get the HPV vaccination.
