IPOH, Over 70,000 women in Malaysia have received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine since February last year, aimed at preventing cervical cancer. National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Associate Professor Dr M. Murallitharan said this number is encouraging and is the result of the hard work of NCSM staff in collaboration with various parties, including the Perak government. 'More than 70,000 women have been protected through the 'Leaving No One Behind' HPV Immunisation programme following the national launch held in February last year in Tambun. 'Since the launch, NCSM has reached various rural areas including Perak, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Sarawak,' he said. He said this in his speech at the launch of the NCSM-Caritas Homes of Hope and HPV roadshow in Perak. Earlier the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, graced the event and launched the programme held at the NCSM-CARITAS Home of Hope in Kampung Si mee here today. Also present were Datin Seri Aezer Zubir, the wife of the Perak Menteri Besar, State Women, Family, Community Welfare, Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed and State Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha. On the Home of Hope, Murallitharan said that it has been operational since early last year and serves as a transit place for cancer patients undergoing treatment at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. He said the home offers free counselling and clinical psychology services, as well as food and nutrition counselling services for those in need. 'All these services are provided free of charge and managed by full-time staff for the benefit of the people of Perak. 'We also take this opportunity to seek the assistance of all parties, whether NGOs, corporates or individuals, to contribute in their own way to alleviate the burden on cancer patients at the NCSM-CARITAS Home of Hope,' he said. Source : BERNAMA News Agency