Penang to offer free mammograms, health scans for women

Penang to offer free mammograms, health scans for women

GEORGE TOWN, May 15 ― The Penang state government will introduce free mammogram and health examinations for women in the state through its newly formed women’s brigade.

Announcing this today, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the mammograms and health checks will be available to all women in every district in the state.

“It will definitely benefit women in the lower-income group but the free mammogram examinations are open to all women in the state,” he said in a press conference at his office today.

Lim said this is part of the women’s programmes that the state government is introducing on top of the annual RM100 for homemakers and single mothers as well as the setting up of the women’s brigade.

He expressed his admiration for US actress Angelina Jolie, who recently revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy to minimise her risk of breast cancer.

“We must place more emphasis on women’s health as women plays an important role in the family institution and providing free health examinations is one of the ways to take care of the health of the women,” he said.

The women’s brigade, headed by newly-appointed state executive councillor in charge of the youth and sports, women, family and community development Chong Eng, will hold its first meeting tomorrow to discuss the implementation of free health examinations for women.

“We have yet to finalise the details on this but we are definitely looking at collaborating with the private sector on this as all our programmes are conducted through public private partnerships (PPP),” Lim said.