The Malaysian Society of Hematology’s annual meeting, held earlier this year, took on special significance as it was the first face-to-face conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairperson, Dr. Gan Gin Gin underscored the two-year gap in his message to participants, adding that the meeting’s theme “making sense of new therapies and technology” was chosen to reflect the many novel therapies and technologies now available for hematological diseases emphasizing that even with limited resources, the aim of improving a patient’s quality of life and survival was universal.
Four Max representatives along with patient leaders from Max Family Society Malaysia, a CML patient support group, attended and actively participated in the conference. Reflecting Max’s goal of amplifying patients’ voices, the Max Foundation representatives in their discussions with doctors and nurses, highlighted the value programs such as Max Schooling and Last Mile/Malaysia bring to patient care and quality of life. “We took this opportunity – our first in two years to have in-person discussions with health care professionals – to emphasize our core Social Determinants of Health programs and the critical role they play in patients’ lives and importantly, the state of their health”, said Nur Izzati Mohd Rodzi.
Max Schooling which provides educational assistance for patients’ children and Last Mile Services which helps cover the cost of transportation to and from hospital visits are core to the Max Foundation’s efforts to address the influence of factors such as the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age on patients’ health outcomes.
“A key aim of participating in this event was to re-establish our relationships (following the pandemic) with doctors and nurses. We learnt a lot in our conversations, from hearing about the challenges patients face to how Max’s programs are positively impacting patients here in Malaysia. Overall, an extremely productive engagement for all of us here”, said Nur Izzati Mohd Rodzi.
The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 27 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope.
One of the things I observed at Maputo Central Hospital was the level of comfort and trust between the physician and the patient. It is remarkable because until today the doctors had no effective treatment to give. And yet the patients came back, time after time, for regular check-ups, never losing hope.
Suddenly, I noticed a man sitting just opposite to me staring at me. I thought he was annoyed at my loud voice. so I reduced my volume and kept on talking with my friend. While explaining, my eyes went towards the man. Again I noticed he was keenly listening to our conversation.
Finally the stop came! I got down with my friend and took 10 steps. I heard a voice behind me calling “Madam, madam!”
This summer, India Country Head Viji Venkatesh is crisscrossing the USA to host Chai for Cancer addas and share The Max Foundation vision. Started in India, Chai for Cancer is our global initiative to invite our community to partner with us. There have already been a number of events in Houston, Charlotte, and New Jersey with more to come!
