WA to assist Malaysia in establishing a cord blood bank

14/9/96

Western Australia will assist Malaysia in developing quality clinical genetic services and establishing a cord blood bank, in addition to providing specialised nurse training in the field of paediatric oncology.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan officiated at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the WA Health Export Unit and the University of Malaya, which will focus on using the expertise of Perth's specialists in the fields of cytogenetics and molecular immunology to set up facilities in Malaysia.

Mr Cowan is currently leading a WA trade mission to Malaysia.

The diverse range of health care systems and the demands of a sophisticated home market have led to the development of considerable expertise in all aspects of health care in WA, a factor which is increasingly being recognised internationally.

Mr Cowan said WA had a broad range of high-quality and innovative health services and the Government was actively promoting trade in these services, particularly in the Asian region.

The WA Health Export Unit, a division of the Health Department of WA, is playing a key role in the development of such trade involving both the public and private sector.

The MOU with the University of Malaya will draw on the expertise of two of WA's major teaching hospitals: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children; and King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women; and the Centre for Molecular Immunology and Instrumentation.

Today's agreement provides for a collaborative partnership in the provision of specialised nurse training in the field of paediatric oncology. It also provides for a number of Perth's specialists to conduct training and share their techniques with Malaysia to establish a quality cord blood bank and cytogenetic facilities within the University of Malaya.

The MOU was signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya, Dato Dr Abdullah Sanusi Ahmad and Dr Bryant Stokes, Chief Medical Officer of the Health Department of WA.

Mr Cowan said the signing of the MOU was the beginning of a process of technology and knowledge transfer and the sharing of highly specialised expertise.

"This will help provide a higher quality of health care to Malaysians and enhance the already strong relationship between WA and Malaysia," he said.

Mr Cowan returns to Perth tomorrow.

Media Contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595 or 222 8788