Personalised medicine just became more accessible. Sunway Medical Centre has opened its Genomic Medicine Services in Sunway City, integrating genetic testing into everyday patient care. The new facility is based in the hospital’s second Health Screening Department and serves both local and international patients.
The service integrates cutting-edge genomic science into clinical care, offering patients and their families more personalised and informed healthcare options.
As genomic medicine continues to transform healthcare worldwide, Sunway Medical Centre’s new services bring advanced genomic testing and insights previously accessible only through specialised international centres to Malaysia. This development enables earlier diagnoses and tailored treatments, adding a vital layer of data-driven care to patient management in the region.
Malaysia’s healthcare system is facing a growing dual challenge: an ageing population experiencing increasing rates of chronic illnesses, and a rise in undiagnosed or misdiagnosed rare diseases.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey, nearly one in six Malaysian adults has diabetes, and over a third live with high blood pressure. Meanwhile, rare genetic conditions often go undetected due to limited access to high-level diagnostic tools.
Sunway Medical Centre’s Genomic Medicine Services are intended to help bridge this gap. By offering advanced genetic testing, the hospital hopes to enable earlier interventions and more effective care planning for a wide range of conditions, including inherited disorders and complex chronic diseases.
The new services offer a comprehensive range of genomic tests, including whole exome sequencing, couple carrier screening, hereditary cancer risk screening, liquid biopsy for cancer detection, and diagnostics for rare diseases.
These tests are integrated within Sunway Medical Centre’s multidisciplinary care model, ensuring that genomic data is translated into practical and personalised treatment plans.
Dr Khoo Chow Huat, Managing Director of Hospital & Healthcare Operations at Sunway Healthcare Group, emphasised the centre’s forward-looking approach at the launch.
“Our goal is not just to treat illness but to stay ahead of it,” he said. “This launch reflects our vision for healthcare tailored to each patient’s unique needs and risks. We are proud to offer Malaysian patients precision medicine on par with the world’s best.”
For many patients, (particularly children with unexplained symptoms) the path to diagnosis can be long and uncertain. Known as a “diagnostic odyssey”, this process often takes years, delaying vital care and causing emotional strain for families.
With tools like whole exome sequencing, the new Genomic Medicine Services aim to significantly shorten this journey. By identifying potential genetic causes of disease, the service offers patients and families clearer answers in a matter of weeks instead of years.
Beyond patient care, Sunway Medical Centre intends for its Genomic Medicine Services to play a pivotal role in advancing Malaysia’s healthcare landscape. The hospital is committed to making genomic testing more accessible nationwide. These services are now available to the public through physical or virtual consultations, accessible via physician referrals or direct enquiries.
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