On 24–25 September 2025, a delegation from the Universiti Malaya, led by Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal, conducted a courtesy visit to the Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital (CRC SGH), Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and the Kuching Division Health Office (Pejabat Kesihatan Bahagian Kuching). Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki represented the Public Health team.
The visit brought together 12 experts and researchers from multiple faculties, reflecting a strong multidisciplinary approach to strengthening Malaysia’s health system. The objectives were to:
- Explore opportunities for collaboration in infectious disease research and the One Health agenda.
- Gain insights into ongoing initiatives and programs led by the Sarawak State Health Department and its divisions.
- Strengthen strategic partnerships between Universiti Malaya, the Kuching Division Health Office, and the Sarawak State Health Department.
The Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital (CRC SGH) was established in 2003. Dr Alan Fong has been the Head of CRC SGH since 2011. He is also a Consultant Cardiologist at the Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan. During the visit, the team was welcomed by Dr Chew Lee Ping, the Deputy Director of the CRC SGH. The CRC SGH functions as the administrative backbone for clinical trials by providing research training, consultation services, archiving support, and facilities for monitoring visits. With these resources and achievements, CRC SGH is well-positioned to conduct complex, high-impact clinical trials, particularly in the early phases of drug development.
The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) was established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit to SIDC was hosted by Associate Professor Dr Ivan Yap, the Chief Executive Officer of SIDC. Discussions explored broad areas of collaboration, including epidemiology, public health, One Health, laboratory science, clinical research, disease surveillance, and biomedical innovation. The delegation also toured the new SIDC building, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2026. In addition, the team visited the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute, further broadening opportunities for multidisciplinary engagement.
At the Kuching Division Health Office, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr Chai Phing Tze, who provided a comprehensive briefing on the division’s initiatives. Dr Chai is a proud Universiti Malaya alumna, having completed her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in 2017. Constructive discussions with stakeholders highlighted priority areas for collaboration, particularly in malaria, rabies, and filariasis, with emphasis on laboratory research, artificial intelligence applications, implementation research, and social–behavioural studies.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr Veronica Lugah, Sarawak State Health Director, and Dr Mohammad Nazarudin bin Bahari, Deputy Director (Public Health), for their support in making this visit a success. Notably, Dr Veronica is also an alumna of Universiti Malaya’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, highlighting the strong academic linkages between UM and Sarawak’s health leadership.
This initiative reflects Universiti Malaya’s ongoing commitment to advancing infectious disease research, promoting the One Health approach, and supporting the national health agenda through collaboration, innovation, and multidisciplinary engagement.
This write-up was prepared by Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
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