Call to employers to provide special insurance for female workers

Employers have been asked to provide a special insurance scheme for their women workers, especially those with chronic diseases such as cancer, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani.

"I was informed that the cost of cancer treatment is RM60,000 or more. So, if possible, we want to see these female workers, especially those with breast cancer be provided with special insurance by their employers.

"We (the ministry) want to discuss with insurance companies about the syndication policy.

"Hopefully, through such a policy, women workers will only need to pay for a minimum premium to reduce their financial burden," he said when officiating the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's (HKL) Pink October 2016 campaign at HKL here Saturday.

Present were advisor on Women Entrepreneurship and Professional Development at the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and HKL director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain.

Among the programmes that will be carried out throughout the seven-day campaign beginning today are free breast cancer screening and the Pink October exhibition.

Earlier, Johari, who is also Titiwangsa MP, had flagged off the HKL Pink October Harley Ride convoy of 200 bikers consisting of HKL staff and members of the public.

Johari also opened the HKL Breast Cancer Resource Centre which is located at Level 6, of the HKL Specialist Complex and Ambulatory Care Centre.

It is a one-stop centre that provides information and consultation on breast cancer to patients as well as members of the public. -- Bernama