Ministry of Health and Roche Malaysia partner to bring cancer care closer to communities

PUTRAJAYA, 25 August 2025 - The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Roche Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to advance the Cancer Care Closer to Community (CCC) initiative, reinforcing efforts to expand equitable, timely, and sustainable cancer care for all Malaysians. The signing took place at the Ministry of Health in Putrajaya.

In Malaysia, over 60% of cancer cases continue to be diagnosed at late stages, particularly among rural and underserved populations, according to the National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control Programme (NSPCCP) 2021–2025. Late-stage diagnoses contribute to disparities in access, reduce treatment effectiveness, and place increasing pressure on tertiary care centres, where patients often face longer waiting times and more complex treatment requirements.

The CCC initiative aims to decentralise cancer care by delivering community-based cancer treatment for follow-up care. By bringing essential treatment closer to patients, particularly in rural areas, the initiative seeks to reduce delays, improve survival outcomes and create a more people-centred healthcare system. It allows patients to access care while remaining connected to their community, their home, and the support of their loved ones.

The MoU formalises a public-private partnership between MOH and Roche Malaysia, enabling structured collaboration that channels resources and expertise efficiently to accelerate impact by enhancing the capability of healthcare professionals, expanding access to community-based cancer treatment and ultimately improving outcomes for patients across the country. By investing in frontline healthcare providers and fostering knowledge exchange, this collaboration aims to build a more sustainable and people-centered cancer care ecosystem across Malaysia. 

The CCC initiative represents a strategic step toward a more accessible, efficient and patient-focused cancer care system in Malaysia.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, as well as growing capabilities in the area of data-driven medical insights help Roche deliver truly personalised healthcare. Roche is working with partners across the healthcare sector to provide the best care for each person.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. In recent years, Roche has invested in genomic profiling and real-world data partnerships and has become an industry-leading partner for medical insights.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

Roche has been present in Malaysia since 1972, when the sales and distribution of products was managed by a third party distributor. Since then, Roche has established its operations to include Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the pharmaceutical business; Roche Diagnostics (M) Sdn. Bhd., the diagnostics business and Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd. (also referred to as Roche Services & Solutions APAC). With a total staff strength of over 1,200, Roche has grown into one of the leading healthcare companies in Malaysia that provides holistic healthcare solutions to healthcare practitioners and patients. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.my

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For media enquiries, please contact:

1. Niranjni Jayabalan

   Communications Lead, Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd

   Email: [email protected]