We received a complaint from citizens regarding the difficulties faced by cancer patients due to the lack of radiotherapy machines at Sarawak General Hospital.

We went over to Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching to understand the situation better and found that currently there are only three radiotherapy machines in the hospital and one has broken down since the end of September.

This is not the first time it has happened and it is quite a common occurrence since the machines are old and often used for more than the recommended times due to the load of patients.

There is a strong need for more and newer machines, as there are patients coming from all over Sarawak to Kuching to receive the needed radiotherapy treatment, however there is lack of funds for it.

It is vital that these cancer treatments should be carried out according to a specific time schedule and any delay in receiving or continuing radiotherapy treatment will affect the patient’s recovery process.

We thus urge for more funds allocation for new machines and better maintenance to uphold the interest and safety of our cancer patients.

Corruption has been a cancer to our nation and state, and we hope funds allocation for healthcare in the state will be responsibly distributed so that we will not compromise the health of our patients in the hospital.

JULIAN TAN KOK PING is MP for Stampin.