New Straits Times
Malaysian appointed to WHO genomics advisory group
By Audrey Dermawan | 5 September 2023

Professor Dr Zilfalil Alwi.

GEORGE TOWN: Professor Dr Zilfalil Alwi, a consultant specialist in paediatrics and medical genetics from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has been appointed to the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Genomics (TAG-G).

The two-year appointment, beginning Aug 24, is a major acknowledgement for the country as Dr Zilfalil is the sole Malaysian among 15 to be appointed as part of the genomics advisory group to WHO.

WHO TAG-G is a Technical Advisory Group in the field of genomics to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The group was established to provide support and technical guidelines on activities conducted by the WHO Secretariat to facilitate access to genomics technology in bringing benefits to global health, especially in the area of human genome.

In its advisory capacity, the group will need to reassess and advise on prioritised activities to be considered by WHO to expedite access to genomics technology for global health, including promotional and advocacy, aside from other technical activities.

According to Dr Zilfalil, there are additional roles to undertake being a member of the group and it involves the development of the field of genomics.

"The establishment of TAG-G will provide various benefits to society and the nation, as TAG-G will support WHO in expediting access to genomics technology for global health, more specifically to the human genome, via technical support and guidelines.

"This will drive forward the field of genomics further worldwide, especially among the low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where there exists a wide gap compared to the high-income countries (HIC)," he said.

Dr Zilfalil said the membership would have a significant impact as the LMIC group would have access to the latest knowledge and expertise in the field of genomics.

"It will simultaneously allow these countries to raise their capabilities in the fields of research and medicine that are genome-based, providing opportunities to identify genetic risk factors for certain illnesses and to develop a more personalised and effective treatment," he added.

The approach taken by TAG-G to reassess and provide advice on prioritised activities in expediting access to genomics technology, Dr Zilfalil said, would make it possible for our country and other countries in the world to take strategic measures in developing the health sector.

He noted that this could assist our country in dealing with health challenges which had became more complex with more holistic and advanced approaches, in ensuring its readiness in providing treatment and healthcare which were targeted and more efficient.

"Advances in the field of genomics and health will offer new job opportunities, raising the country's competitiveness at the global stage, and bring economic benefits to society at large," he stressed.