By Wilfred Pilo and Chris Lidom
KUCHING, Oct 7: Sarawak is taking precautionary measures in light of new diseases that may be categorised as ‘Disease X’ as announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Based on Sarawak’s experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, (firstly) there is a need to be vigilant and study the information provided by WHO to determine what type of vaccine or solution can be used to treat ‘Disease X’.
“This time Sarawak already has its own research center, namely the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and we have experts.
“That’s why yesterday (Oct 6), our doctors are working together with experts from Australia, America, Germany, and Singapore to find a way on how this collaboration can guarantee Sarawak will have its own vaccine,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the opening of Business and Entrepreneurs Forum 2023 here today.
He added that the state of the art centre, which costs RM200 million will be built near the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan to enable collaboration between researchers including from Unimas Hospital, upon its completion in 2026.
“Those experts will be able to cooperate not only in curing diseases but also in the production of medicines or vaccines. Apart from that, we also have a diverse biodiversity in the State, where our plants can be used to make vaccines from the point of view of infectious diseases,” he said.
To be clear, the term ‘Disease X’ was coined by WHO in February 2018 on their shortlist of blueprint priority diseases to represent a hypothetical, unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic.
In short, ‘Disease X’ does not refer to any particular disease, but rather serves as a placeholder name for future, as-yet unknown pathogens that may cause another pandemic, such as Covid-19.
In 2020, experts, including some of the WHO’s own expert advisors, speculated that Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, met the requirements to be the first Disease X. — DayakDaily
