Training Programme for the LPPKN Subsidised Mammogram Programme, Selangor – 20-23 Dec 2006
By Dr Evelyn Ho The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development organised a training session for its staff involved in a special programme to enable women of the lower income group to avail the RM 50 subsidy for mammography examinations. Training was held in De Palma Hotel in Jalan Ampang, Selangor. This subsidy programme was announced by the Government in the Budget 2007 report in the last quarter of 2006. If all the preparations proceed smoothly, the subsidy programme should be operational by the first quarter of 2007.
The participants came from all the LPPKN clinics in Malaysia, including East Malaysia. They would be the vetting centres for eligibility for the subsidy for mammograms. They were therefore briefed on the programme, objectives and operational procedures to adhere to. In addition, they were lectured on Screening in Breast Cancer, Introduced to Mammography and Ultrasound as well as the rationale behind the tests, the preparations needed, the strengths, weaknesses of the examinations and the need to counsel those sent for these examinations so that maximum benefit would be derived from these examinations. The difference between a diagnostic and screening examination was also explained. Educational visits to some mammography centres were arranged as part of their exposure to mammography. Finally, to enable them to be better counsellors, a counselling and support session to deal with anxiety in their patients was held.
To ensure that all the participants would have a good experience as well as avail the best quality attainable for mammography, the mammography centres in Malaysia would be invited to volunteer for accreditation. Accreditation, a voluntary process will help to ensure the centres are aware of the requirements for good mammography practice and strive to ensure quality, thereby benefitting all, in particular the participants of the LPPKN mammogram programme.
The training programme was made possible with the support of the College of Radiology, Breast Cancer Welfare Association and the Bahagian Reproduksi Manusia of the LPPKN. Thanks to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and Pantai Medical Bangsar for enabling the visits to the Mammogram Centres. |
