Lyna Mohamad
The world comes together to celebrate the lives saved from cancer every February 4, which is made possible through promoting early detection, providing comprehensive treatment that is accessible to all and robust campaigns that push everyone to be vigilant in the fight against cancer.
This is in line with the new theme set by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for World Cancer Day for the next three years – ‘Close the Care Gap’, which aims to address the inequities in cancer care experienced by patients around the world, especially when the world is currently hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) marked the special occasion yesterday along with cancer patients and survivors, stakeholders, doctors and staff.
PJSC Executive Director Dr Haji Mazrul Adimin bin Haji Awang Besar officiated.
The small but intimate celebration was held in adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and health guidelines including temperature checking, scanning the BruHealth code upon entering the premises as well as testing negative on antigen rapid test result.
The event focussed more on cancer patients and survivors and how everyone plays a role to close the care gap between patients and care providers.
Art paintings by 15 cancer patients and survivors were showcased under the AfiyART programme, held in-collaboration with Rainforest Gallery.
Manager and owner, Dato Paduka Haji Shofry bin Haji Abdul Ghafor facilitated the three-week art programme, aimed at helping patients and survivors express their feelings as a form of therapy.
PJSC also collaborated with Guerrilla Artchitect Studio to produce a two-sided Graffiti Art Mural based on the ‘Close the Care Gap’, theme showcasing ideas and contribution from patients and survivors.
The event also saw the presentation of appreciation certificates to Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), Pfizer Sdn Bhd, Medipharm Sdn Bhd, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, Massutera Engineering Sdn Bhd and Suci for their support. As part of their World Cancer Day activity, PJSC is providing full support to the UICC in the fight against cancer and called on everyone to show support by joining the 21 Days to Impact Challenge to build a healthy habit and approach to life.
This challenge requires participants to register on UICC’s website and they will be emailed daily prompts.
Brunei Darussalam is also participating in lighting up key buildings on World Cancer Day together with other countries. Blue and orange lights are lit on the PJSC building throughout February in support of the cause.
Key stakeholders supporting the World Cancer Day cause every year, doctors and staff of PJSC and cancer patients and survivors were also present.
