KUALA LUMPUR: With breast cancer on the rise in Malaysia, the government, in its new budget announced on Friday, said that mammograms would be free of charge for women in the country in an effort to push preventative healthcare. Women who wish to get tested can soon get the mammogram examination for free after Prime Minister Najib Razak announced in the 2013 Budget, a RM25 million allocation, which can benefit 100,000 women aged 40 years and above. In welcoming the initiative, National Cancer Council (Makna) general manager, Farahida Mohd Farid said the council was willing to collaborate with the government in the implementation of the program. “If there is a shortage of machines, we might be able to help by working with the government in finding a solution to the problem,” she said. According to her, on average, one needs to fork out RM180 to RM250 to undergo a mammogram examination. Farahida, however, hoped there would be clear guidelines on identifying deserving women for the program. National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO) president, Professor Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin said the move was very much welcomed as breast cancer was the most common form of cancer affecting women in Malaysia. She said about one in every 19 women in this country was at risk of getting breast cancer, compared to one in eight in Europe and the United States. “Yes, the free mammogram is good. The government may also look at other diseases of concern to women, like heart disease,” she said. Sharifah Hapsah is also a proponent of the proposed Women Directors' Program as it would greatly help boost opportunities for women to lead in business and industry. “The initiative also shows the prime minister's trust and confidence in women's leadership and their capability in this field. Former Women, Family and Community Development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil congratulated the prime minister for the complete and well-rounded 2013 Budget. “From the homeless, the middle-income earners to those who are privileged, the budget is realistic and takes into consideration the people's well-being regardless of their status in society,” she said. Shahrizat, who is Wanita Umno chief, said the budget was not rhetoric or one that might make the country bankrupt. “The women's fight (for betterment) has been well worth it as all levels of women will benefit from the budget,” she said.
