PENANG, 11 September 2024 – Consultant Child Specialist and Medical Geneticist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dr. Zilfalil Alwi has made a name for himself, being one of the authors in a prestigious journal for an article entitled ‘The WHO Genomics Programme for Equitable Implementation of Human Genomics for Global Health’.

The article was published in the Nature Medicine journal, a renowned research journal which focuses in publishing the latest advancements in clinical and translational research for scientists and doctors.

The working paper prepared by members of the Technical Advisory Group on Genomics (TAG-G), World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises the critical importance of the field of human genomics to global health.

Zilfalil has earlier created history by being the sole Malaysian amongst the 15 appointed members of TAG-G who serves as advisor to WHO in the field of genomics.

The WHO has launched a comprehensive genomics programme aimed at advancing equitable access to genomic technologies across the globe.

This initiative follows the significant advancements in human genomics, particularly since the publication of the first draft of the human genome sequence in 2001.

These advancements have revolutionized the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases through the sequencing of millions of genomes and the discovery of numerous gene-disease associations.

However, access to these groundbreaking technologies remains uneven, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This disparity is largely due to resource limitations and low adoption capabilities within health systems.

The WHO Genomics Programme, guided by its TAG-G, seeks to address these inequalities by promoting investments, fostering collaborations, and overcoming obstacles to the widespread implementation of genomics.

Key actions of the programme include targeted communication efforts to highlight the benefits of genomics, the development of investment scenarios tailored to regional needs, and the establishment of principles for the ethical use and sharing of genomic data.

The programme also aims to strengthen partnerships with organizations and stakeholders in the field to ensure a coordinated, global approach to human genomics.

Through these efforts, the WHO is committed to advancing the use of genomic technologies in healthcare, thereby improving individual and population health outcomes worldwide.

The success of this initiative hinges on the collective efforts of governments, communities, and the private sector to ensure that the benefits of genomics are accessible to all, particularly the most underserved populations.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin