Govt urged to help with cost of nutrient milk for cancer patients

THE government is urged to introduce a discount for cancer patients’ nutrient milk following its recent price hike.

Food Bank Ji Shan Johor Baru advisor Goh Teck Kuan said the lowest price for the product now was around RM70 for 380g.

Last year, it was RM50.

“The main reason given by the producer for the price hike is due to the increased global price of goods, which is why we are calling for an intervention by federal and state governments.

“There should be at least a policy, if not a special allocation, to cancer patients, especially those who are being treated at government hospitals,” he said at a press conference held after receiving a cheque from CIMB Foundation to buy milk for cancer patients.

Goh said while a single 380g tin was not enough to sustain a patient, it would meet the nutritional needs of others.

“There are patients who need at least eight tins a month,” he said, adding that the price could exceed RM250 per tin.

Echoing the call was Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation (TLJCF) chief executive officer Mohd Ikmal Izam Zaini, who hoped the private sector could help non-profit organisations aid those in need.

“This year, we are planning to help 60 cancer patients in our home visit programme where we would channel the much-needed milk and food aid to them,” he said, adding that TLJCF planned to go to every district in the state.

Also present were Food Bank Ji Shan president Tan Ching Yong, CIMB Bank Bandar Baru Permas Jaya branch manager Tan Wei Ling and TLJCF head of corporate communications Najwa Khalid.

Goh, who is also the Ji Shan Single Mothers Club chairman, urged the Johor government to have a policy to help B40 families in Johor Baru.

“We are planning to organise our i-Dapur programme to provide single mothers with the necessary tools to start their own business.

“We are also expanding this aid to 200 B40 families living at Flat Tunku Tun Aminah and Flat Perling.

He said the group faced difficulties in finding suitable business locations and hoped with the state government’s help, they could place the entrepreneurs at government premises that offered a cheap rental fee. — By REMAR NORDIN