The centre will also complement and collaborate with the Ministry of Health in tackling infectious diseases in Sarawak. File Photo
KUCHING (March 17): The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre project is expected to commence immediately in view of the urgency for it to be operational by 2024, said Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) in a statement today.
It revealed the project was approved by the Sarawak State Cabinet in their February sitting this year, after the directive to build the centre was announced by chief minister and SRDC chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Nov 24 last year.
SRDC also said the centre, which is under its purview, will be built in the vicinity of the Kuching – Samarahan corridor to ensure outbreak preparedness and to spearhead the fight against future pandemics in the state.
“The site is expected to be adjacent to the Sarawak Heart Centre to ensure synergy between the two agencies, and to provide for the ability to ramp up diagnostic and hospital bed capacity in the event of a pandemic with the provision of space for 1,000 beds field hospital,” it said.
The centre will also complement and collaborate with the Ministry of Health in tackling infectious diseases in Sarawak.
It mentioned the centre’s goals were to protect Sarawak by improving research in infectious disease, equip Sarawak with the capability and capacity to test therapeutics, vaccines and equipment against infectious agents and to enable Sarawak to detect, diagnose and predict potential infectious disease outbreak.
“The centre will bring together talents regionally and internationally, and attract global biomedical companies to ensure Sarawak is prepared for future challenges.
“It will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories to allow research and development on BSL-3 infectious agents, and subsequently product testing to ensure commercialisation of R&D output.
“The centre will also provide opportunities for talented Sarawakians to serve Sarawak and drive human capital development in biomedical sciences,” it said.
Abang Johari on Nov 24 last year announced the establishment of the centre under the 12th Malaysian Plan (12MP).
He was quoted as saying state government had set aside RM190 million to establish the centre with the purpose of advancing research, innovation and development on tropical diseases.