File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

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By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, March 5: Sarawak is stepping up its fight against diseases by sending local graduates abroad to pursue PhDs in vaccine research, with a special focus on rabies.

Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the State has partnered with the Australian government to send students to Murdoch University, which is currently conducting rabies research in Indonesia.

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“The program will also cover vaccines for other diseases, including Covid-19.

“Some of our graduates will pursue PhDs focused on rabies vaccines. We want to tap into Murdoch University’s research and apply it here,” he told reporters when met after Gift of STEM Education programme at SK St Elizabeth in Siburan today. An audio recording of his remarks was later shared with DayakDaily.

Sagah also said the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) is conducting Statewide surveys to track disease patterns.

“Preliminary results from Bau, Padawan and Sri Aman revealed high rates of latent tuberculosis (TB), prompting early detection and treatment plans before the disease becomes active.

“The surveys will expand to Kapit, Miri, Sibu and other districts,” he added.

The ministry, he said, is also prioritising women’s health with early cancer detection programmes. – DayakDaily