SDC was founded as Biochemistry Division in 1950, to provide initially routine biochemical tests which used manual methods. Laboratory methods for enzymes and hormonal assays were later established to cater for the need for patient management in the 70's and 80’s. With the technology advancement and laboratory automation, there is decentralization of routine tests to the hospitals in the 90’s.
The Specialised Diagnostic Centre (SDC) was established on 16 April 2001 as a result of reorganization of IMR in line with the needs and importance of health services to the Malaysian population to enable access to specialized diagnostic services, especially in the field of inborn errors of metabolism & rare genetic diseases and aimed to reduce dependence on the developed countries.
SDC initially consists of two units; Biochemistry and Molecular & Diagnostic Protein. SDC took up the challenge to venture into complicated and laborious biochemical genetic testing’s which require technically advanced equipment’s and technical expertise. Biochemical diagnosis for Multiple Myeloma was pioneered and protein electrophoresis services for the whole country were started in SDC. Various method development and research using state-of-the-art technology are consistently carried out to support the clinical services in Malaysia.
SDC has expanded over the years from providing the screening tests to a confirmatory enzyme assay and molecular tests for disease confirmation for inborn errors of metabolism and rare genetic diseases. Comprehensive biochemical genetic and molecular genetic tests were successfully developed following continuous research activities over the years. Being the tertiary centre for Diagnostics referral in Malaysia, SDC has the expertise in the diagnosis of inborn error of metabolism (IEM) and rare genetic diseases providing specialized diagnostic services to all government and private hospitals in Malaysia.
SDC is the only centre in Malaysia that offers comprehensive diagnostic services of biochemical genetic and molecular genetics for the diagnosis of diseases of inborn errors of metabolism, rare genetic disorders, and endocrine diseases with more than 200 tests including screening, confirmatory and molecular testing are provided for patients from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Currently, SDC comprises of five units; Biochemistry, Molecular Diagnostic, Special Protein, Endocrine and Specimen Management Units. Specimen Management Unit has revolutionized the conventional practice of specimen management from conservative to the real-time system through a novel innovation. SDC contribute to national capacity building by conducting translational research and deliver state of the art diagnostic technologies towards better health care.
As a national referral centre, SDC conducts specialized diagnostic tests which are not available in the hospitals in Malaysia & conducts research & development to develop new test methods to assist clinical specialists in the detection of diseases & clinical patients management. Various diagnostic development and research methods using the latest technologies are being consistently carried out to support the clinical and patient management in need of inborn errors of metabolism, rare genetic diseases, and clinical endocrinology throughout Malaysia.
SDC not only conducts specialized diagnostic tests that are not available in other hospitals, but constantly conducts research and development of new test methods, giving added value to Malaysia health care services and establishing new tests using the latest technologies to assist the clinical specialists in the detection of disease & treatment of patients. SDC aims to provide health equity access in the diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, especially in inborn errors of metabolism, rare genetic diseases, and clinical endocrinology for the Malaysian population.
Specialised Diagnostics Centre team, led by Dr Anasufiza Habib
