By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Sept 5: Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is now a centre of excellence for clinical trials in Malaysia following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) and Novartis Malaysia today.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said SGH could cater for different phases of clinical trials, from first-in-human (FiH) clinical trials to late-phase clinical research.
“By having this site established in Sarawak, not only will the health equality gap be addressed, but also Malaysia can leverage by attracting talents ranging from medical specialists to researchers who would be encouraged to work in this region.
“Opportunities for more clinical trials or world-renowned research to be conducted in our country can be enhanced, and the spillover effect from these ventures could be capitalised to place Malaysia as a healthcare hub that is both innovative and abreast with the latest developments in science and technology,” said Khairy in his speech during the MoU signing ceremony held at the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) Auditorium in SGH today.
SGH was represented by its director Dr Ngian Hie Ung, CRM was represented by its chief executive officer Dr Akhmal Yusof, and Novartis Malaysia was represented by its country president Dr Mohamed Elwakil.
Khairy said with the strengthening of CRM, Malaysia aims to increase and promote more local and international research collaborations in line with healthcare development.
He also said through the work led by CRM’s Phase 1 Realisation Project, that was aimed to establish and enhance the nations’ early phase capabilities and capacities, many of the nation’s firsts were accomplished from this project, including the development of Phase 1 Guidelines, establishment of the SGH Phase 1 site, training, and development of three National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) officers as well as fellowship attachment of fellow oncologists.
“Following this, SGH successfully conducted its first first-in-patient haematology study last year. The site investigator, Dr Chew Lee Ping, was recognised as the first global recruiter in the study, ahead of other global sites.
“We also have more to look forward to from the team at SGH, especially with the return of Dr Voon Pei Jye, one of our top investigators in the country, following his fellowship in early phase research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto (Canada),” he added.
He pointed out that these ongoing efforts to strengthen the clinical research and trials footprint in Malaysia are an integral part of Novartis’ mission to improve and extend patients’ lives.
“Novartis’ and its predecessor companies’ collective centuries of expertise in healthcare research, coupled with Switzerland’s healthcare system consistently ranking first in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, can hopefully bring about a more data-driven, digitally-innovative healthcare system here in Malaysia. We know we are partnering with one of the best in the industry,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. — DayakDaily
