A Guide To Receiving Financial Aid For Breast Cancer Patients In Malaysia

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Fortunately, several organisations, governmental bodies, and non-profit entities provide financial assistance to help breast cancer patients in Malaysia cover their medical costs.

Here's an overview of where and how to receive financial support if you or a loved one is battling breast cancer in Malaysia.

The Rotary Cancer Welfare Fund under the Kuala Lumpur Rotary Charity Foundation was set up 2013 to provide financial assistance up to RM25,000 each for underprivileged cancer patients and their families who have difficulties in meeting the costs of healthcare treatments.

The setup of this fund has largely benefitted patients with their treatments, and helped their families cover daily living costs, housing rentals, as well as school fees and supplies for their children.

Eligibility requirements:
Underprivileged cancer patients who are breadwinners in their family.

To Apply:
Step 1 - Download the application form here
Step 2 - Fill in the form and email to [email protected] together with a copy of the relevant medical reports
Step 3 - The team will get back to you within five working days upon receiving the application

For more information, visit The Rotary Cancer Welfare Fund.

The Breast Cancer Foundation Malaysia is committed to helping as many people as possible financially with the Breast Cancer Foundation Patient Fund.

This fund provides financial aid to breast cancer patients with a monthly household income of RM5,000 and below. Funds will assist with medical treatment, medication, and personal needs.

Eligibility requirements (must fall under more than three of the categories below):

- Patients who are currently undergoing treatment or post-treatment for breast cancer, including patients diagnosed with secondary cancer originating from breast cancer

- Patients whose monthly family income is less than RM5,000

- Patients who have exhausted their financial resources substantially while seeking initial treatment of their cancer

- Patients who are single parents

- Patients whose employment has been terminated because of their illness

- Patients who are not in possession of any valuable assets or any assets in their name that could be liquidated within a reasonable period of time

- Patients who are not eligible for government aided/funded treatment or who are not covered by their spouses' employment medical benefits or who are not covered by any medical insurance

To apply:
Visit the Breast Cancer Foundation Patient Fund to fill up the application form and upload all relevant supporting documents.

Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA) assists financially-challenged patients with a monthly allowance, medical equipment, medication, and ancillary items to enable them to cope with cancer.

Under the Bursary Programme, cancer patients in the lower income groups who are undergoing treatment at government hospitals can apply to MAKNA for financial aid via the hospital's medical social works department. These officers screen applications and gather relevant information from their cancer patients.

Once gathered, the documents will be forwarded to MAKNA for assessment. If they meet set standards, patients will receive the amount of financial assistance needed.

Visit MAKNA for more information.

Sunway offers financial assistance programmes designed to alleviate the financial strain for cancer patients undergoing treatment, allowing patients to focus on their health and wellbeing without the added stress of financial worries.

The group offers discounts and subsidies on cancer treatments for eligible patients in Sunway Cancer Centre.

Eligibility requirements:
- Malaysian citizen
- Subsidies are only applicable for treatment provided at Sunway Medical Centre
- Patients with a total household income of RM5,000 and below
- Patients with insufficient insurance coverage

Visit Sunway Cancer Centre or call 03-74919191 for more information.

As a not-for-profit hospital, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital strives to provide affordable cancer treatment and care for all. Their Medical Social Welfare team helps to provide financial assistance for patients and family members.

Treatment costs are subsidised according to the patient's financial status. And the subsidy is disbursed from their Tabung Kebajikan Penyakit Kanser Mount Miriam (previously known as Needy Cancer Patient Fund), which is funded by the public.

Last year, MMCH assisted 396 cancer patients with a total disbursement of RM1.56 million.

Eligibility requirements:
Patients receiving cancer treatment in Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital only.

To apply, visit MMCH or call 04-8923808/ 016-5217054 or email [email protected]

Government hospitals waive outpatient charges or provide discounts for patients, depending on their criteria:
- Earning below RM300/month
- Holders of social welfare or MAIK cards
- Students

According to the Health Ministry, cancer treatments can range from free to only RM125, depending on the treatment you need as a third class patient.

Visit your local government hospital for further information.

SOCSO provides financial protection to insured workers in Malaysia. If a breast cancer patient has been employed and is covered under SOCSO's schemes, they may be entitled to financial assistance for medical treatments, rehabilitation, or an invalidity pension if they are unable to continue working due to cancer.

To apply:
- Patients must be registered under SOCSO
- Visit a nearby SOCSO office or apply online through the SOCSO website to initiate the claim process
- Submit supporting documents such as employment records, medical reports, and proof of diagnosis

Speak to your company's human resources department for more information.