Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in Malaysia, and lung cancer, in particular, poses a critical threat, especially to seniors. Due to the aggressive nature of lung cancer, early detection and timely treatment are crucial. However, treatment options like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, including Pembrolizumab (also known as Keytruda), come with significant financial burdens. For many seniors, the challenge isn’t just fighting cancer but finding the means to cover treatment costs, especially when retirement savings are inadequate.
This is where KALSIS steps in—a unique initiative in Malaysia designed to provide seniors with a pathway to fund their cancer treatments and support their ongoing living expenses, all without losing the comfort and security of their homes. In partnership with Kenanga Investors Berhad, KALSIS helps Malaysia’s seniors battling cancer unlock wealth from their largest asset: their homes. Here’s how it works and why it’s a game-changer for seniors facing life-altering diagnoses.
What is Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), and How Does it Help Beyond Traditional Chemotherapy?
Pembrolizumab, marketed as Keytruda, is an immunotherapy treatment that has shown promising results in treating various cancers, including advanced lung cancer. As a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Pembrolizumab enhances the body’s immune system, enabling it to target and destroy cancer cells. However, such cutting-edge therapies often come at a cost, with immunotherapy treatment expenses adding up significantly over time.
Immunotherapy has also expanded treatment options beyond traditional chemotherapy, giving patients a better chance to combat lung cancer effectively. For seniors in Malaysia, Pembrolizumab offers a lifeline but remains financially out of reach for many. By providing financial support, KALSIS makes it possible for seniors to access lifesaving treatments like Pembrolizumab (with a valid prescription from their consultant clinical oncologist) without compromising their financial well-being.
KALSIS: An Innovative Approach to Cancer and Retirement Financing in Malaysia
KALSIS represents a paradigm shift in healthcare and retirement financing, specifically targeting Malaysia’s senior population. The scheme enables seniors to receive substantial financial support for their healthcare needs, particularly for cancer treatments, and continues to provide a reliable income stream throughout their lives.
Here’s an overview of how KALSIS helps seniors and their families:
1. Immediate Financial Relief for Cancer Care:
• In the first year of joining KALSIS, participants receive a 10% lump sum of their home’s market value to help cover cancer treatment costs.
• For example, if a participant’s home is valued at RM1,500,000, they receive RM150,000 upfront to fund immediate healthcare needs – enough to fund a lifetime’s worth of pembrolizumab in tandem with a patient access programme.
2. Long-term Financial Stability:
• From the second year onward, seniors can choose between a 4% annual lump sum for healthcare needs or monthly annuities (4% divided across 12 months) to cover living expenses.
• This structured payout ensures seniors maintain a steady income, providing financial security while battling cancer.
3. Aging in Place with Dignity:
• Participants retain lifetime usage rights to their homes, meaning they do not have to move and can continue living comfortably in familiar surroundings.
• In addition to the financial benefits, KALSIS covers essential services such as home repairs, pest control, and even home insurance for the structure, helping seniors maintain their homes’ upkeep without additional costs.
4. Transparency and Fairness:
• The KALSIS scheme is founded on transparency. Homes are purchased at market value determined by an independent, impartial valuer, ensuring a fair deal for seniors.
• Both seniors and institutional investors receive a copy of the valuation report, fostering trust and safeguarding participants.
5. Nominee Protection and Legacy Option:
• Seniors can nominate a person to receive a portion of the proceeds if they pass away within ten years of joining the Scheme. This ensures their loved ones are financially supported even in their absence.
• If there is no nominee, the funds can be directed to a charity of the senior’s choice, creating a legacy that supports society in their honour.
Addressing the Financial Challenges of Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment is expensive, and for seniors on a fixed income or with insufficient insurance, managing costs becomes overwhelming. KALSIS addresses these financial challenges by unlocking home equity, effectively allowing seniors to fund their healthcare needs from their most valuable asset. Here’s why KALSIS is especially beneficial for cancer patients:
1. Flexibility to Cover Cancer-Related Expenses:
• Unlike traditional financing options, KALSIS provides flexibility, allowing seniors to use the funds specifically for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies, including Pembrolizumab.
2. Support Beyond Cancer Care:
• KALSIS’s monthly payouts continue even after healthcare needs are met, supporting seniors’ living expenses, ensuring financial stability, and allowing them to focus on recovery and well-being.
3. A Cost-Effective Alternative to Loans and Crowdfunding:
• KALSIS offers a more sustainable and dignified alternative to high-interest loans, crowdfunding, or reliance on family support. By leveraging their own homes’ value, seniors can access cancer care funds without accumulating debt or feeling like a burden.
How KALSIS Ensures Safety and Peace of Mind
Trust and security are at the heart of KALSIS. For seniors, KALSIS is more than just a financial support system—it’s a trusted partner in their healthcare journey. Here are some ways KALSIS builds safety into the scheme:
1. Protection of Home Ownership:
• Titles are held by Kenanga Trustees Berhad, ensuring that the participants’ rights are safeguarded. If KALSIS cannot meet its financial obligations, the home titles are transferred back to the seniors, who keep all payouts received to date.
2. Insurance and Legal Safeguards:
• An insurance mechanism is in place to cover title transfer costs, and premiums are covered by KALSIS, further minimizing expenses for participants.
• Even if KALSIS undergoes ownership changes, the scheme’s legal terms ensure that seniors’ rights are preserved and payments continue as planned.
3. Transparency in Transactions:
• KALSIS operates under a ‘willing-buyer, willing-seller’ principle, ensuring participants receive fair market value for their homes. Additionally, seniors can review the valuation report to understand the financial basis of their payout.
4. Legacy Options for Loved Ones:
• Participants can nominate a beneficiary to receive part of the proceeds in the event of their passing, providing peace of mind and a legacy for their loved ones.
Why KALSIS Is a Better Choice for Cancer Patients
For Malaysian seniors with cancer, time is of the essence, and financial constraints should never prevent them from receiving the care they deserve. KALSIS presents a viable solution for seniors who might otherwise delay treatment due to cost concerns, allowing them to:
• Access Comprehensive Cancer Treatments: Use funds to pursue advanced cancer treatments, such as Pembrolizumab, which could otherwise be out of reach.
• Stay in Their Homes: Unlike downsizing or moving into unfamiliar settings, seniors retain the security of lifetime residence while receiving needed funds.
• Avoid Financial Strain on Families: By unlocking their home’s equity, seniors alleviate financial pressure on family members, fostering a sense of independence and dignity.
Eligibility and How to Apply
To participate in KALSIS, seniors must meet specific criteria:
• Age and Residency: Participants must be at least 65 years old, a Malaysian, or a permanent resident residing in a freehold, landed home within the Klang Valley.
• Ownership: The property must be fully paid and free from financial liabilities.
• Cancer Diagnosis: The participant or their spouse must be undergoing treatment for cancer at the time of application.
Eligible seniors or their families can connect with KALSIS through the official website or WhatsApp +6011 5638 8580 to initiate the application and valuation process.
A New Era of Cancer Care Financing for Malaysia’s Seniors
In a landscape where healthcare costs are rapidly rising, KALSIS provides a refreshing solution for seniors grappling with cancer in Malaysia. By combining financial support for cancer treatment with a sustainable model for retirement, KALSIS empowers seniors to approach their cancer journey with confidence. The commitment to transparency, fairness, and security underscores the reliability of the scheme, making KALSIS not just a financing option but a partner in health and the field of oncology.
For seniors or families dealing with the realities of cancer care, KALSIS represents hope, allowing them to make the best decision for their health and future. In difficult times, it’s essential to have options that preserve dignity and ensure peace of mind—KALSIS makes that possible.
Contact KALSIS today via WhatsApp at +6011 5638 8580 and discover how to turn your home into a pathway for cancer care and financial security.