LIAM: Protecting Underprivileged, Rural And Vulnerable Girls From Cervical Cancer

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- 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 LIAM’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), will provide essential HPV vaccination to girls in the underprivileged, rural and vulnerable communities in Malaysia.

He said the vaccination is vital in preventing HPV and HPV-related cancers especially cervical cancer, and LIAM, as part of the company’s 50th anniversary, is contributing RM3 million to NCSM from the collective contribution of 14 life insurance companies and two reinsurance companies in the association.

“It (NCSM) received free doses (HPV vaccines) from the manufacturer but money is needed to reach this group of 13- to 20-year-old girls. So we are going to find these girls and vaccinate them. This vaccine is very effective...90 per cent 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 in 13 states and three federal territories, while using a comprehensive approach encompassing health communication, behavioural change intervention and efficient health services.

O’Dell said LIAM is also working with the ROSE Foundation, a Malaysian non-governmental organisaiton (NGO), giving them a donation of RM650,000 to carry out tests on women between the ages of 30 and 60 for the virus that causes cervical cancer, thus eliminating the virus in the early stage.

“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 the virus before it turns into cervical cancer. So the ROSE Foundation is all about testing,” he said.

He said the ROSE Foundation had done very well for the testing in Sarawak where it had gone to the rural areas as well as the low income group, to help people eliminate the virus thus improving their lives.

“It takes a boat trip along the river to take its team to the rural areas to test the woman there. It helps them through their journey of getting that virus eradicated. The virus can be transmitted though saliva, sexual contact and any kind of connection, and also can manifest itself decades later,” he said.

O’Dell said although cervical cancer is specific to women, however, men and boys can become virus cariers so it is important for them to also get the HPV vaccination. 

Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix or in any layer of the wall of the cervix, and it is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

Meanwhile, he said LIAM is also launching a starter pack to engage more young Malaysians to buy life insurance where the pack will give a RM50 subsidy that can be used to purchase or pay part of the premium of a life insurance policy.

O’Dell also said LIAM is also doing several CSR programmes like annual blood donation drives in September and October in different cities nationwide.

-- BERNAMA