Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City has launched its Genomic Medicine Services, offering integrated diagnostics and personalised clinical support for patients through advanced genetic testing.
The official opening was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the hospital on June 12, 2025, officiated by Sunway Healthcare Group (SHG) president Dato’ Lau Beng Long, accompanied by SHG managing director (hospital and healthcare operations) Dr Khoo Chow Huat, Sunway Medical Centre Sunway City (SMC) chief executive officer Dr Seow Vei Ken, SMC medical director Dr Low Kwai Siong and SMC visiting consultant clinical geneticist Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong.
The launch event presented an introduction of Sunway Genomic Services by SMC paediatric endocrinologist and paediatrician Dr Ch’ng Tong Wooi, as well as a media Q&A session.
The new facility is located within the newly opened Health Screening Department – the second screening department within the hospital, designed to serve both local and international patients.
These services integrate genomic science into clinical care, supporting more informed, patient-specific healthcare options.
As genomic medicine continues to reshape global healthcare, these services provide access to advanced testing and insights previously limited to specialised international institutions. From earlier diagnoses to tailored treatments, these services add a new layer of data-informed care for patient management.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Khoo Chow Huat, the managing director of hospital and healthcare operations at Sunway Healthcare Group, said: “At Sunway Medical Centre, our goal is not just to treat illness but to stay ahead of it.
“The launch of these services reflects our vision for a future where healthcare is personalised to each patient’s needs and risks, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“We are proud to offer Malaysian patients access to precision medicine that is on par with the world’s best.”
Malaysia, like many developing countries, is facing a dual healthcare challenge: an ageing population with rising rates of chronic conditions, and a growing number of patients living with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed rare diseases.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey, nearly one in six adults live with diabetes, while over one in three have high blood pressure. At the same time, rare and genetic conditions continue to go undetected due to limited access to advanced diagnostic tools.
The Genomic Medicine Services aims to address this gap by offering genetic insights that support early intervention and improved care planning.
The new services offer patients with a comprehensive range of genomic testing services, including whole exome sequencing, couple carrier screening, hereditary cancer risk screening, liquid biopsy for cancer screening and rare disease diagnostics.
These services are integrated with Sunway Medical Centre’s multidisciplinary care model, ensuring that genomic insights are not only generated but translated into actionable steps for patient management.
For many families, especially those with children who have complex or unexplained symptoms, a diagnosis can take years. Known as the “diagnostic odyssey,” this prolonged process can be emotionally exhausting and delay critical treatments.
With tools like whole exome sequencing, it may help identify potential genetic causes of conditions through comprehensive testing, cutting years of uncertainty into weeks of clarity.
Beyond serving patients, the genomic services are designed to play a larger role in Malaysia’s healthcare landscape, and the hospital is committed to making genomic testing accessible to more Malaysians.
The launch of Sunway Medical Centre’s Genomic Medicine Services reinforces its role as a healthcare pioneer, committed to integrating innovative diagnostic technologies into patient care.
The Genomic Medicine Services are now open to the public through physical or virtual consultation by physician referrals or self-enquiries.
