PUTRAJAYA (Aug 25): The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Roche (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd have teamed up to make cancer care easier to access by providing treatment closer to local communities instead of just in big hospitals. 

The programme supports early detection and timely treatment, addressing the fact that over 60% of cancer cases are found late.

“It reflects the heavy toll on families, the financial strain they endure, and the pressure on our healthcare system. Centralised cancer care is no longer sufficient,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.

On Monday, the MOH and Roche Malaysia formed a partnership called Cancer Care Closer to Community (CCC) to support the National Cancer Control Programme, focusing on prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the MOH and Roche Malaysia will co-develop scalable, community-based CCC delivery models, strengthen the oncology workforce through a train-the-trainer programme for nurses, and provide strategic advisory and digital learning support to improve outcomes.

“The CCC initiative ensures that care is not confined to large hospitals but also delivered closer to where people live. Through this partnership, Roche is helping to strengthen oncology skills and services, expanding treatment access beyond hospital walls,” Dzulkefly said. 

Both the MOH and Roche Malaysia did not disclose the investment involved in the partnership.

In Malaysia since 1972, Roche Malaysia is a part of Roche, the world’s largest biotechnology company.