Roundtable Discussion: Strengthening Cancer Care Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy in collaboration with the M3C Taskforce, Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) and the Cancer Care Working Group, organised a virtual roundtable discussion on Strengthening Cancer Care Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer care in all parts of the world, at a time when stark differences in survival rates exist and preventable cancers still prevail in low- and middle-income countries.

Malaysia’s healthcare system, like many other countries, has faced unprecedented disruption, dilemmas and challenges during this period of crisis. In the field of cancer care, this includes implementing risk minimisation measures, forced to reprioritise patient care, protecting healthcare teams, expanding telemedicine consultation and training, managing and delaying cancer surgeries, maintaining clinical trial access and recruitment, and preparing for a surge of cancer patients diagnosed late.

The roundtable discussion took place during a crucial intersection at which cancer care transformation is aspired to, not only to overcome disruptions in the past year, but also system-wide solutions to improve early diagnosis, survival rate, and quality of life of people living with cancer in the long term.

Programme

0:00:00 Start
0:02:20 Welcome Remarks
0:07:30 Opening Speech by Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation
0:20:58 What Can We Learn From The COVID-19 Response To Improve Cancer Care?
0:32:00 Panel 1: Building Better and Strengthening Cancer Policies
1:12:30 Panel 2: Ensuring That No Person Living With Cancer Is Left Behind
1:56:58 Panel 3: What Does The Data Tell Us About Cancer Care In Malaysia?