IPOH: The political secretary to the Finance Minister, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, spoke about learning that his one-year-old daughter was suspected of having leukaemia.
He shared his story during the launch of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia’s (NCSM) first Community Health Observatory Network (Maschon) programme here on Wednesday (Sept 24)
“The doctor suspects she may have leukaemia, and naturally, as a father, hearing such news deeply affects you,” he said
He said the news was first conveyed to his wife while he was away in Kuala Kangsar on Tuesday.
"When I came here earlier today and saw the explanations and awareness materials presented, it somehow gave me renewed hope," Muhammad Kamil said at the event, which was held at NCSM’s Caritas home at Kampung Simee here.
He said the initiative was designed to empower local communities through self-monitoring of their health.
NCSM’s managing director, Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said the programme would reach nearly 1,500 individuals, with a focus on women and Orang Asli communities, across several parliamentary constituencies in Perak, Johor, Melaka and Selangor.
He said 240 community health monitoring agents would also be trained, and eight micro health observatories would be established to improve data collection and strengthen local health surveillance.
“Through this collaboration, we want to ensure that women and Orang Asli communities are not just receiving treatment, but also participating actively in their own health journey,” he said.
He stated that the focus would be on local health issues, including sexual and reproductive health, malnutrition, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
