Dr Sim (fifth left), Dr Abdul Razak (fourth left), Masdah (sixth left) and other guests in a group photo at the press conference. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (April 22): Sarawak has secured the hosting rights for the 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) 2028 of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, marking a significant milestone in its growing status as a leading destination for business events in Malaysia and Borneo.
Scheduled to be held in Kuching from March 23 to 26, 2028 in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day, the conference is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the successful bid reflects strong collaboration between national and state stakeholders, and congratulated the Malaysian team for bringing the conference to Kuching.
“This is the second time Malaysia has won the bid. The first time was in Kuala Lumpur in 2007, and the second time will be in Kuching.
“It is also the first time this event is hosted in Borneo,” he told a press conference at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.
Dr Sim said beyond its economic benefits through international participation, the conference would also strengthen efforts in addressing tuberculosis.
“Tuberculosis has been around for so long and, unfortunately, it is still a challenge for us in Sarawak, particularly in the interior areas.
“I was told that we are among the third highest but the compliance for tuberculosis treatment here is very good,” he said.
He noted that Sarawak’s vast geographical landscape poses challenges in reaching remote communities, highlighting the need for additional resources from the Ministry of Health to enhance early detection efforts, including outreach to longhouses.
Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges, driven by drug-resistant strains, delayed diagnoses, treatment adherence gaps, stigma, and unequal access to healthcare. Across the Asia-Pacific, diverse healthcare systems further complicate coordinated control efforts.
In Sarawak, initiatives to strengthen early detection and access to care are already underway, including the use of portable handheld X-ray technology by the Bintulu Divisional Health Office to improve screening in remote communities. However, scaling such efforts regionally requires stronger collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.
Dr Sim said APRC 2028 would serve as a platform for regional and global experts to exchange knowledge and accelerate practical solutions in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while strengthening cross-border and cross-sector collaboration.
“APRC 2028 directly supports Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, where healthcare is not only about treatment, but about equity and inclusion.
“The Sarawak government’s support towards APRC 2028 is our commitment to ensuring that Sarawak’s healthcare system is inclusive, accessible, and leaves no one behind,” he said.
APRC 2028 is organised by the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB) in collaboration with the Sarawak State Health Department, Malaysian Thoracic Association, Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Sarawak (ATAS), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). It is supported by the State Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
Also present at the press conference were APRC chairman Prof Dato Dr Abdul Razak Abdul Muttalib, MAPTB president Masdah Enti, ATAS president Datin Louise Blaja, Unimas Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences dean Prof Dr Asri Said, and BESarawak Business Development and Services general manager Anedia Kahar.
