Clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment in Malaysia
COVID-19 treatment in Malaysia
Image adapted from: WHO
With rising recovery rates in Malaysia amid a continuous battle to beat COVID-19, it’s safe to say that many Malaysians have been more than proud of our medical staff on the frontlines.
And the pat on the backs don’t stop there – the World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen Malaysia to be part of a Solidarity Trial to run tests on antiviral drugs that could potentially lead to a cure for COVID-19. It currently involves countries such as the USA, the UK, China, and France. Now 9 hospitals in Malaysia are on board to help provide crucial info too.
Malaysia chosen by WHO to run clinical trials
Bottles of Remdesivir seen in a hospital in China that has been used to treat COVID-19 patients
Image credit: ABC News
It was first announced on 27th March 2020 that Malaysia would play a role in Solidarity Trial to provide important research and results on a new antiviral drug that could potentially treat COVID-19 patients called “Remdesivir”.
It’s among 4 other drugs being tested by countries participating in this mega-trial to find a cure for COVID-19, with over a thousand patients and 10 countries involved, as reported by Straits Times.
Image adapted from: WHO
Malaysia’s Health Director-General can be quoted from New Straits Times saying that our country was selected by WHO to run clinical trials after checking all the boxes for participation in this global mega-trial. Criteria that’d been met include a good medical system and capable researchers and hospitals to carry these out.
Hospitals nationwide take part in global effort
Image credit: KKM
Involvement from Malaysia will be a nationwide effort, with 9 public hospitals from around the country taking part:
- Tuanku Fauziah Hospital, Perlis
- Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Kedah
- Pulau Pinang Hospital, Penang
- Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selangor
- Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
- Melaka Hospital, Melaka
- Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Pahang
- Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah
Sungai Buloh Hospital is among the selected COVID-19 treatment hospitals that’ll help carry out the drug trial as authorized by WHO
Image credit: Bernama
According to a joint press release by WHO and The Ministry of Health, drug trials for Remdesivir will be utilised as soon as possible on confirmed cases in Malaysia.
Results from the trials will help show the safety and effectiveness of the drug, as well as any potential side effects. The Head of Mission and WHO Representative to Malaysia also calls it the “best hope” for treating COVID-19 patients.
At large, it’ll help find a life-saving treatment that’ll get rid of the virus that’s presently affecting 180 countries with over 1.1 million cases recorded worldwide.
Tests for COVID-19 treatment in Malaysia
There are now 17 red zones in Malaysia and an expected peak in COVID-19 cases in mid-April that’s having us on the edge of our seats. So we’re more than glad and proud to see Malaysia’s involvement in this mega-trial. This could possibly lead to a cure for COVID-19 and help flatten the curve.
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