LIAM To Expand Efforts To Eliminate Cervical Cancer In Sarawak - CEO

KUCHING, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) is intensifying its efforts to eradicate cervical cancer in Sarawak, covering underprivileged communities involving teenagers as well as women aged 30 until 65 years old.

LIAM chief executive officer Mark O’Dell said a series of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ programmes concerning HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination for secondary school girls and HPV screening are two major corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives held in conjunction with LIAM’s 50th anniversary. 

“The HPV Vaccination Programme is a collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) with the objective of vaccinating 100,000 girls aged 13 to 20 years old untill January 2025. To date, about 64,706 number of vaccines that have been administered throughout the country.

“‘The Leaving No One Behind - HPV Screening Programme’ (is held) with ROSE Foundation and our contribution of RM650,000 will enable the foundation to reach out to women in remote areas and bring the doctors to these areas and if the patient is positive HPV, they will be assisted to get treatment so Sarawak is a big focus for ROSE Foundation,” he said in an interview with Bernama, adding that the screening programme aims to reach 10,000 women in underprivileged communities.

O’Dell expressed his hope that ‘Leaving No one Behind - HPV Screening Programme’ launch tomorrow by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian here would create more awareness among Sarawakians about the risk of cervical cancer, which is the third most prevalent cancer among women in Malaysia.

“Our contribution towards the HPV Screening Programme includes logistics and we aim to reach as many Sarawak women for the screening so the testing and vaccine efforts will support Malaysia’s aim to eradicate cervical cancer by 2058,” he said. 

Sarawak reports the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Malaysia, with a rate of 12.1 women per 100,000 population, surpassing the national rate of 10.2 women per 100,000, as estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Meanwhile, he shared that during a local chapter meeting with LIAM Sarawak held earlier today, members discussed annual initiatives related to community engagement, financial literacy and awareness programmes, that could be done in Sarawak.

O’Dell added that LIAM has launched two social media campaigns aimed to encourage Malaysians to share moments that have impacted their lives via write-ups or videos to win weekly prizes. 

“The #LIAMGoldenMoments involves videos whereas ‘Life Is Full of Surprises’ is a write-up campaign so this will allow people to go to the microsite and learn about insurance apart from sharing their stories,” he said.

For more information, visit https://50th.liam.org.my.

-- BERNAMA