KUCHING: Sarawak has won the bid to host the 54th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Conference this year.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the conference, from Oct 30 to Nov 1, would be a strong platform for developing policies and strategies, implementing education, research and training programmes and demonstrating effective interventions in community and public health.
"Public health is a crucial aspect of our lives in protecting and improving the well-being of the people.
"It goes beyond merely preventing and treating diseases, but also about giving everyone access to the right healthcare services and facilities," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (May 3).
Dr Sim said Sarawak was recognised for its efforts on community and public health, including the setting up of the Sarawak Heart Centre in 2011 and investing RM200mil in the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre, which was currently under construction.
He said the state government has also been working with the Health Ministry to open a cancer centre.
"Despite our emphasis on healthcare and medicine for several years now, new challenges demand more extensive research, collaboration and innovation.
"The conference will be a platform for Sarawak to learn from the best in tackling these challenges," he added.
He said the conference would also pave the way for Sarawak to become a global hub for public health research and learning.
The conference will be organised by the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) as the local host.
It is supported by the state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry, state Health Department and Business Events Sarawak.
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