KUALA LUMPUR: The construction of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reached 45% completion and is projected to be fully completed by July 2026, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
Located in Bandar Enstek, Negri Sembilan, the centre is set to bolster Malaysia's readiness for global health crises upon completion.
"Based on findings and analyses during the Covid-19 pandemic, this centre (NCDC) will function as a Special Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, enhancing the nation’s capacity to handle disease outbreaks.
"The establishment of the NCDC also reinforces Malaysia’s capability in vaccine production, offering optimal facilities for local scientists to conduct extensive research on diseases,” Lukanisman said during the 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration of the National Public Health Laboratory (MKAK) on Tuesday (Oct 8).
The NCDC, which began construction in October 2021 and spans 8ha, will comprise two main blocks: the Control Disease Centre and the Public Health Reference Laboratory.
The Silver Jubilee celebration of MKAK marks the institution’s 25-year contribution to public health, including the significant achievement of being the first laboratory in Malaysia to identify the Covid-19 virus using an electron microscope and the mpox virus through the Real-Time PCR method. – Bernama
