Sarawak’s very own infectious diseases centre will provide the State the capability and capacity required to develop global and equitable science-driven solutions in preparing for, identifying and countering future pandemic threats.
This comes in light of the challenges that Sarawak faced during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, among which includes the acquisition of medical supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccines.
“Sarawak was not spared from the significant health and economic impacts of COVID-19 which highlighted significant gaps in outbreak preparedness (prediction, detection and response), self-sufficiency (capability and capacity) to combat an outbreak and economic resiliency to withstand an outbreak.
“Thus, there is an urgent need for Sarawak to address these gaps and one such initiative by the Sarawak Government is the establishment of (the Sarawak Infectious Diseases Centre, or SIDC).
“This is timely as we need to develop our own capabilities and expertise,” said Chief Minister (Premier of Sarawak) YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg during the launching of SIDC and Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) offices in Kuching.
The launching of these two entities, he stated, “will pave the way to research excellence in Sarawak, leading to a vibrant bio-economy, capitalising on our diverse cultures and natural resources.”
SIDC, in particular, will focus on the advancement of capacity and knowledge to respond to future pandemics and emerging threats by way of human capital development and impactful research, as well as the translation of biomedical research into applications including diagnostics tools, vaccine-based treatments and vaccines.
At the same event, the Chief Minister (Premier of Sarawak) revealed that SIDC’s first project would be conducting a longitudinal serology study on individuals inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines in Sarawak.
Together with the Institute of Health and Community Medicine of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), SIDC would monitor specific neutralising antibodies against the coronavirus over two years throughout the study.
“Such information is not only important for us to determine the efficacy of the current vaccination programme but also will allow us to make an informed decision on the need for booster doses, and the type of vaccines to be given.
“This initiative may also lead to potential spin-offs in the development of diagnostics kits and antibody drugs against COVID-19,” elaborated the Chief Minister (Premier of Sarawak), who is also the SRDC chairman.
The establishment of SIDC was approved by the State Cabinet in February 2021. The centre will have its own world-class research facility that will be under the purview of SRDC.
Construction of the facility has begun this year near the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan with an allocation of RM200 million by the Sarawak Government, and is expected to be completed and operational by 2024.
Goals of SIDC
• To protect Sarawak through enhanced research in infectious diseases
• To equip Sarawak with the capability and capacity to test medication, vaccines and equipment against infectious agents
• To enable Sarawak to detect, diagnose and predict potential infectious disease outbreaks
• To complement and collaborate with the Ministry of Health Malaysia in tackling infectious diseases in Sarawak
• To provide opportunities for Sarawakians to serve Sarawak and drive human capital development in biomedical sciences
• To bring together talents regionally and internationally, and attract global biomedical companies to ensure Sarawak is prepared for future challenges
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