When you have cancer, there’s no telling whether your treatment will result in remission, and for how long. It can be like living on a knife edge, especially when the expensive cost of care is compounded by limited or lack of insurance coverage.  

On this episode of NCD Chronicles, Hiba Abdul Rahman, a 32-year-old breast cancer survivor, shares about being excluded from medical insurance due to her cancer diagnosis, and how this puts her in the perilous situation of not being protected against future health crises. Mandy Thoo from NCD Malaysia sketches the broader picture of how this exclusion policy affects the wider community of people living with non-communicable diseases, while Mark O’Dell, CEO, Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, explains the industry’s stance. 

This episode is a cancer special in conjunction with World Cancer Day on 4 February. In next month’s episode, Hiba, Mandy and Mark offer thoughts on policy changes and why other stakeholders also have a role to play.

Image credit: Prakash Daniel Photography