KUCHING: Malaysians are invited to participate in a nationwide health initiative that offers free health screenings as part of the MyGenome Project, a joint effort by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).
The MyGenome Project marks a significant milestone in advancing science and technology in Malaysia, particularly in population genomics.
It aims to improve understanding of genetic diseases and support the development of personalised medicine.
As part of the campaign, participants can receive a free health screening that includes blood tests, body composition analysis (such as body fat percentage and muscle mass), and heart screenings.
In addition to these services, eligible individuals will be able to enrol in the MyGenome study, which seeks to understand how genetics influence health outcomes and medication responses.
Among the key benefits of the MyGenome Project is the ability to identify the genetic roots of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, and various types of cancer.
The project also supports pharmacogenomic research, which explores how individuals respond differently to medications based on their genetic makeup.
This area is expected to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects.
Furthermore, the initiative supports personalised medicine by tailoring treatments according to each individual’s genetic profile, and it enhances public health efforts by identifying at-risk populations through early detection and prevention.
The project is currently seeking healthy Malaysian adults who are not pregnant and do not have hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic or genetic health conditions.
Health screenings and recruitment for the genomic study will take place at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Blood Bank and at mobile blood donation campaigns scheduled from May 16 to June 11, and from August 8 to September 3.
For further information, the public may email the organisers at mygenome@moh.gov.my or call 03 3362 8006.
