KUCHING: Sarawak has secured the hosting rights for the 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRC 2028) of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
The prestigious conference, organised by the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB), is scheduled to take place from March 23 to 26, 2028, here in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day, placing Sarawak at the centre of the global health community.
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), in a statement, said the achievement marks a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance its reputation as a legacy business events capital in Malaysia and the Borneo region.
“APRC 2028 makes history as it will be the first time the conference is held in Borneo and only the second time in Malaysia since the Kuala Lumpur edition in 2007.
“Through this event, more than 1,000 delegates from across the Asia Pacific region are expected to attend, contributing an estimated RM8.2 million to the state’s economy,” it said yesterday.
Tuberculosis remains one of the most pressing global public health challenges, driven by rising drug resistance, delayed screening, treatment adherence issues, and persistent societal stigma.
Additionally, gaps in access to healthcare services further worsen the situation, particularly in rural areas and remote communities.
In the Asia Pacific region, the diversity of healthcare systems makes efforts to coordinate disease control more complex and challenging.
Sarawak has implemented various initiatives to strengthen early detection and treatment access, including the use of mobile X-ray technology by the Bintulu Divisional Health Office.
This approach aims to expand tuberculosis screening coverage, especially among hard-to-reach communities, to improve early case detection.
“However, expanding such initiatives at the regional level requires stronger collaboration, continuous innovation, and effective knowledge sharing.
“APRC 2028 is expected to serve as a key platform to bring together global and regional leaders to accelerate practical solutions in prevention, screening, and treatment, while strengthening cross-border and cross-sector collaboration,” it added.
