Brief Update on TAC Sarawak Task Force 

Sarawak TAC Task Force was formed as a positive outcome from Jan 23, 2016 MEEPO workshop in Kuching Sarawak.  The task force comprises cancer survivors, cancer care staff, caregivers and volunteers, including a hematologist.  First meeting was held on March 5, 2016 at Sarawak Children Cancer Society (SCCS).  Key discussion included:

-          Updates to all on TAC’s AGM which was held on Feb 26, 2016

-          Sharing from Dr Chew (hematologist) on the submission of Cancer Hospital proposal by a medical team back in Nov 2014 and the lack of response from the Health Ministry.  Dr Chew also raised the need for more young medical doctors to take up oncology course and develop skill-based oncology nurses to support the oncology/cancer unit in hospitals. 

-          Three key initiatives to be pursued by this task force are:

o   Establish a state cancer hospital

o   Set up service centers in various towns of Sarawak

o   Set up a state cancer drugs fund

-          Team brainstormed and agreed to organize a networking session with key stakeholders of cancer care in conjunction with a public educational forum on Cancer Awareness.  The date of this forum has been rescheduled to June 18, 2016 to accommodate two speakers (oncologists) availability. 

The next meeting will be held on Apr 30, 2016 to draw up the details needed for the forum on June 18, 2016.

For updates please visit http://tacmalaysia.ucoz.com/index/updates_20th_may_2016/0-6