The HEALTH | September-October . 2024

UK-BASED Malaysian scientist Prof Dr Serena Nik-Zainal recently received the prestigious ESMO Award for Translational Research during the opening ceremony at the European Society of Medical Oncology ( ESMO ) Congress 2024 in Barcelona , Spain .

The award honours individuals globally acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to translational research . Prof Serena has made history as the first Malaysian recipient of this accolade , recognised for her ground-breaking work in mutational signatures and her efforts to translate these into clinical applications .

Prof Serena is a Professor of Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatics and an Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics at the University of Cambridge , UK . She leads the Genomic Medicine theme at the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre , pushing the boundaries of cancer genomics through both computational and experimental methodologies to develop clinical applications .

In addition to Prof Serena ’ s achievements , other Malaysians were also spotlighted at the congress . Dr Voon Pei Jye , a Medical

Dr Voon Pei Jye

Prof Ho Gwo Fung

Professor Dr Serena Nik-Zainal receiving the prestigious ESMO Award .

Oncologist from Sarawak General Hospital , and Prof Ho Gwo Fuang , a Clinical Oncologist formerly of University Malaya Medical Centre , co-authored a study on metastatic colorectal cancer , which was presented as an oral presentation .

Dr Voon further contributed to international research by co-authoring a First-in-Human trial for a lung cancer study ( ARTEMIDE-01 ) and being the lead author for another early-phase lung cancer trial ( PolyDamas ), which was presented at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer ( WCLC ) in San Diego , held from Sep 7-10 .

These studies highlight Malaysia ’ s growing role in early-phase drug development . Malaysian oncologists were also involved in other clinical trials featured during oral presentations at WCLC 2024 .

COLUMBIA Asia Healthcare Sdn Bhd , an international private healthcare provider , has officially rebranded as Asia OneHealthcare Sdn Bhd ( A1Health ) after consolidating its healthcare assets across Malaysia , Indonesia , and Vietnam .

This newly renamed entity brings together a vast network of healthcare facilities , including Ara Damansara Medical Centre , Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre , ParkCity Medical Centre , Subang Jaya Medical Centre , the three RS Premier Hospitals in Indonesia , and the Columbia Asia Hospital chain .

The rebranding follows the completion of Columbia Asia Healthcare ’ s acquisition of Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Sdn Bhd ( RSDH ) from Sime Darby Bhd and its Australian partner for RM5.7 billion in cash .

RSDH , a 50:50 joint venture between Sime Darby and Australia ’ s largest private hospital operator , Ramsay Health Care Ltd , operates four hospitals in Malaysia and three in Indonesia .

Additionally , A1Health has acquired five super-speciality hospitals in Malaysia from TE Asia Healthcare , including ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital , Beacon Hospital , Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur ( CVSKL ), Hospital Picaso , and Northern Heart Hospital Penang .

“ Since 2020 , we have undertaken a transformative journey , evolving from a secondary hospital network into a comprehensive healthcare platform ,” A1Health stated in a press release .

“ With this expansion , Asia OneHealthcare now provides a full spectrum of healthcare services , ranging from secondary to tertiary , quaternary , and superspeciality care across Malaysia , Indonesia , and Vietnam .”

FCPAAM AND REVON MEDIA COLLABORATION ... Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations Malaysia ( FCPAAM ) President Prof Dr Ng Po Kok and Revon Media Publisher Kay Mathy recently signed a MoU to celebrate the excellence and contributions of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) via the long-awaited and prestigious Golden Medical Awards .

The third edition of the event in on Oct 21 , 2024 , at the HXC Grand Ballroom ( ICC Pudu ), Kuala Lumpur .

Also present were ( from left ) Revon Media Business Director Robert Kok , Revon Media CEO Law Beng Chee , FCPAAM Organising Chairman Prof Dr Cheong Juan Hai and FCPAAM Organising Vice-Chairman Low Huei Lee .

GLAXOSMITHKLINE Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd ( GSK ) has introduced its Herpes Zoster vaccine , Shingrix ( MAL24056002ARZ ), also known as Recombinant Zoster Vaccine , Adjuvanted ( RZV ), in Malaysia .

This vaccine is designed to prevent shingles ( herpes zoster , HZ ) and postherpetic neuralgia ( PHN ) in adults aged 50 and above . The RZV vaccine is a non-live , recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine administered in two doses via intramuscular injection .

Initially , the vaccine will be available for adults over the age of 50 , as well as for individuals aged 18 and older who are at higher risk of developing shingles .

Shingles is triggered by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus ( VZV ), the same virus responsible for chickenpox . As people age , the immune system weakens , increasing the likelihood of developing shingles . The disease can cause severe pain and , in some cases , may lead to long-term nerve pain , known as post-herpetic neuralgia ( PHN ).

RZV aims to prevent shingles in adults aged 50 and older , as well as those aged 18 and above who are at increased risk . Immunocompromised individuals are particularly vulnerable to shingles and its complications , making RZV a crucial vaccine for this group .

( From left ): Dr Gandhi , GSK Malaysia & Brunei Vice President & General Manager Ruxandra Nastasa , and Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur Consultant Dermatologist & of Dermatological Society of Malaysia Honorary Secretary Dr Peter Ch ’ ng .

In a pivotal study , ZOE-50 , RZV demonstrated an efficacy rate of up to 97 per cent in adults aged 50 and over , with a follow-up period of around three years . Recent data has also shown that RZV maintains an efficacy rate of over 80 per cent between six and 10 years after the initial vaccination for people aged 50 and above .

GSK Malaysia and Brunei Country Medical Director Dr Alap Gandhi highlighted the significance of the vaccine : “ Shingles can cause excruciating pain and occurs due to the reactivation of the varicellazoster virus . RZV is designed to boost immune responses in individuals aged 50 and older , as well as those with compromised immune systems .”