The Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F.) has initiated a new humanitarian financial assistance for terminally ill cancer patients.

“Terminal cancer patients can now withdraw their S.N.P.F. contributions,” the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Pauli Prince Suhren, confirmed.

“The humanitarian assistance has conditions with cancer patients required to provide medical certification to confirm their conditions.

“S.N.P.F. will also conduct its own internal review but at the end of the day, it’s about providing crucial financial help for our terminally ill cancer patients.”

The new assistance programme is separate from the medical referral incentive where patients who require medical treatment overseas are entitled to loan 20per cent of their net contributions.

And similar to the initiative for terminal cancer patients, medical certification is required by the S.N.P.F. to review the medical referral loan applications prior to approval.

Further details of the two new assistance can be obtained from the S.N.P.F.