KUCHING, Oct 19 2026: Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) has initiated a pharmacogenomic pilot study using PacBio human genome sequencing to identify genetic variants linked to adverse reactions to tuberculosis treatment, supporting more personalised antibiotic treatment based on individual genetic profiles.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn also said SIDC has secured RM18.38 million from UK Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, University of Liverpool, and BIOTEC-NSTDA of Thailand, to research African Swine Fever prevention and control.
"At the same time, SIDC will receive RM270,000, from UK-SEA Vax Hub, Proof of Concept grant, to investigate silica-based virus stabilisation for vaccine applications, strengthening its international research collaboration and research and development (R&D) capabilities.
"SIDC continues to strengthen local scientific talent through PhD studies in Australia, supported by RM1.0 million in combined funding, and RM290,000 in external funding for specialised training in epidemiology, genomics, genomic surveillance and vaccine research in the United Kingdom," he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.
He said SIDC will continue to advance Sarawak's capabilities in infectious disease research and public health, adding that its RM320 million facility was 90% complete, as of August 2026, with its official launch targeted in the third quarter of 2027.
"Under its Disease Surveillance Programme (DSP), 13 exercises have been conducted across Southern Sarawak, reaching over 1,000 participants," he said pointing out that the Gedong Pangkor exercise, witnessed by Premier Abang Johari Openg yesterday, also marked the launch of SIDC's first mobile laboratory.
"In 2027, the programme will expand to eight sites in Central Sarawak, including Kapit, Sebauh and Mukah, to strengthen disease surveillance and public health interventions," Sagah said.
