KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Malaysia’s nuclear medicine landscape is rapidly moving into the future with MyNuCLEaR, the Malaysian Nuclear Medicine Care Locator, Education and Resources website.
Spearheaded by the Malaysian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (MSNMMI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the site is an integrated platform that serves several essential functions.
Nuclear medicine, a specialised medical field, uses radioactive material in small, controlled doses to help detect and/or treat certain diseases such as prostate cancer. It is a strictly-regulated field that has been practiced for over 100 years, with ongoing research that paves the way for continuous improvements in how diseases are managed and how well patients can survive – and even thrive – on their patient journey.
Dr Mahayuddin Abdul Manap, president of MSNMMI, highlighted the significance of MyNuCLEaR: “MyNuCLEaR is Malaysia’s first fully integrated nuclear medicine resource platform, linking patients, specialists, healthcare providers and researchers across the country.
“Developed through a multi-agency collaborative effort involving diverse expertise and industry support from Novartis Malaysia, the initiative aims to bridge knowledge gaps among patients and health care professionals.
“As a centralised repository of information, MyNuCLEaR facilitates streamlined access to nuclear medicine services, supporting timely, informed, and coordinated patient care across the country.”
MyNuCLEaR is a multidimensional resource that supports access to:
- Facilities and services through a comprehensive, searchable directory of accredited nuclear medicine facilities across the country – for patients, this can simplify the process of finding the care they need.
- Care through strengthening nationwide referral pathways and streamlining patient flow for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Knowledge by serving as a constantly updating information hub on nuclear medicine practices that ranges from radiopharmaceuticals to new diagnostic and therapeutic innovations like theranostics.
- Continuous professional development through structured educational programs for future and early-career nuclear medicine physicians as well as other nuclear medicine allied health professionals in Malaysia.
- Advancement through connecting researchers and supporting collaborative adoption of innovative nuclear medicine technologies.
Efforts to advance nuclear medicine translate into tangible real-life benefits for patients, explained Assoc Prof Dr Tan Teik Hin, nuclear medicine physician.
“There are many innovations in nuclear medicine today that enable earlier detection and more precise treatment, which can make a world of difference for patients. Take prostate cancer, for example, since its incidence is on the rise and is often detected at advanced stages.
“Recent advancements in nuclear medicine known as theranostics help doctors detect even small tumors and sites where the cancer has spread (metastatic lesions) using Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) imaging, followed by radioligand therapy (RLT) to deliver treatment directly to these tumors and metastatic lesions, which minimises impact on healthy cells.
“Simply put, advanced nuclear medicine techniques like theranostics enable faster detection, more targeted treatment, fewer side effects and ultimately, better survival outcomes and quality of life for patients,” he said.
Sanjeev Balachandran, country president of Novartis Malaysia, Brunei and Asia Emerging Markets (AEM), said: “MyNuCLEaR sets a new benchmark for the nation and serves as a stepping-stone for all patients in need of nuclear medicine services to better understand and manage their treatment journey.
“This underscores our mission at Novartis to improve and extend people’s lives, by overcoming barriers and harnessing innovation, one milestone at a time.
“We are proud to be part of this endeavor and hope to work ever more closely with the Ministry of Health and MSNMMI to enhance the development of nuclear medicine in Malaysia.”
With MyNuCLEaR paving the way for earlier diagnosis, personalised care and improved patient outcomes, Malaysians can look forward to a more informed and efficient experience when navigating treatment.
