Speaking to reporters in a press conference at the parliament lobby, he pointed out that the cancer registry is currently severely outdated.
“With the last cancer registry update being done a decade ago, in 2007, therefore, the information given on the number of cancer patients is outdated.
“This has frightening consequences as it implies that the government would plan and strategise cancer related work with outdated information. As a result, the minister would not be able to effectively address the growing number of cases annually,” Santiago said.
According to Santiago, at least 90,000-100,000 Malaysians are living with cancer at any given time and the figures are expected to rise by 54% by 2025.
“Every year, about 21,733 new cancer cases are recorded, based on the 2007 National Cancer Registry. And, at least 10,000 cases go unreported on an annual basis.
“This is highly regrettable and unfortunate, given that academics and insurance companies are reporting dramatic increases in the number of cancer patients.”
Santiago also criticised the lukewarm response given by Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam when he had raised questions pertaining to this matter at the policy and committee stage debates of Budget 2017 in Parliament.
“Dr Subramaniam was not forthcoming with answers on both these issues.
“While Dr Subramaniam may not be deliberately withholding information, his nonchalance raises doubts about the health ministry’s commitment to fight cancer.
“Otherwise, the government would have taken advantage of my questions and outlined its strategy to address the proliferation of cancer cases in the country.”
Santiago also cited the George Institute for Global Health in Sydney, which stated that 39% of Malaysians simply cannot afford the cost of cancer treatment, as a staggering 19% of patients were forced to quit their treatment due to hefty price tags on medical bills.
“As such, govenment inaction is no longer an option in the war against cancer.
“The state has a responsibility to ensure affordable healthcare for all Malaysians as indicated in its 2012 National Medicines Policy.”