MyNuCLEaR, a gamechanger for Malaysia’s nuclear medicine services
Malaysia is advancing its nuclear medicine capabilities through MyNuCLEaR, or the Malaysian Nuclear Medicine Care Locator, Education and Resources online platform, which is a nationwide initiative designed to serve as a central information and access point for patients and healthcare professionals.
Led by the Malaysian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the platform functions as an integrated resource that connects stakeholders across the country and supports the use of innovative therapies, including theranostics, to improve patient care.
Nuclear medicine is a specialized field that uses small, controlled doses of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases such as prostate cancer. The discipline has been practiced for more than a century and remains strictly regulated, with continuous research driving improvements in disease management and patient outcomes.
Dr. Mahayuddin Abdul Manap, president of the society, said MyNuCLEaR represents Malaysia’s first fully integrated nuclear medicine resource platform, linking patients, specialists, healthcare providers and researchers nationwide. According to him, the multi-agency initiative — supported by industry partner Novartis Malaysia — aims to close knowledge gaps while providing centralized access to nuclear medicine services and supporting coordinated patient care.
The platform offers several features, including a searchable directory of accredited facilities to help patients locate services more easily. It also strengthens referral pathways to support timely diagnosis and treatment, serves as an information hub covering topics from radiopharmaceuticals to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches such as theranostics, and provides structured education programs for early-career physicians and allied health professionals. In addition, it connects researchers to encourage collaboration and adoption of emerging technologies.
Associate Professor Dr. Tan Teik Hin, a nuclear medicine physician, said advances in the field are already delivering tangible benefits for patients. He noted that innovations such as theranostics enable earlier detection and more precise treatment, particularly for prostate cancer, which is increasingly diagnosed at advanced stages. According to him, Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen imaging can identify small tumors and metastatic sites, followed by radioligand therapy that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, resulting in fewer side effects and better survival outcomes.
Sanjeev Balachandran, country president of Novartis Malaysia, Brunei and Asia Emerging Markets, said the MyNuCLEaR initiative sets a new national benchmark and can help patients better understand and manage their treatment journey. He added that the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to improving lives through innovation and expressed hope for continued partnership with health authorities and the nuclear medicine community to further develop the field in Malaysia.
Category: Pharmaceuticals
