Prof. Malehah Datuk Mohd Noh: First Dean of Sabah's Teaching Hospital
Associate Prof. Hajah Malehah Datuk Mohd Noh serves as the founding Dean of Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS), overseeing the development and launch of this RM652 million smart teaching hospital. With over 20 years of expertise in Rheumatology, she also holds an Associate Professorship at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UMS, balancing clinical leadership with academic duties. Her appointment places her at the helm of Sabah's first university hospital—a 400-bed facility scheduled to begin operations in January 2026.
Note: Originally provided as "Malehah bin Datuk Mohd Noh", the title "bin" (son of) is incorrect. The correct form is "Malehah Datuk Mohd Noh". "Hajah" indicates she has completed the Hajj, and "Datuk" is a Malaysian honorific.
Leading Sabah's Healthcare Transformation via HUMS
As Dean, Dr. Malehah is spearheading the construction of what will be one of Malaysia’s most technologically advanced hospitals. The 60-acre facility, with a built-up area of 112,842 square meters, features 25 operating rooms, 40 ICU beds, and 145 specialist clinics. Designated as a "Smart Teaching Hospital," HUMS will integrate fully digital Hospital Information Systems and AI-driven healthcare solutions through partnerships with Intel and other tech providers.
Her role extends beyond hospital management into strategic health planning for Sabah. She has briefed Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir on project milestones and coordinates with the Sabah State Health Department through formal MoUs. The hospital's 30-year concession marks it as a long-term pillar for medical education and specialized healthcare in East Malaysia.
Distinguished Career in Rheumatology
Dr. Malehah’s clinical focus is on Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, with a specific interest in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and autoimmune disorders. She currently holds several key positions:
- Consultant Rheumatologist at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
- Head of the Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UMS.
- President of the Malaysian SLE Association (Sabah Chapter), leading advocacy and patient support initiatives.
Her research portfolio covers rheumatic diseases, autoantibodies, inflammation, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. According to academic databases, she has over 15 publications with 94-117 citations and over 3,307 reads on ResearchGate. Key contributions include COVID-19 studies during the pandemic—investigating neurological manifestations and liver injury—alongside case reports on SLE manifestations and chronic kidney disease in the Sabah community.
Pioneering Healthcare Initiatives in Borneo
Dr. Malehah has championed several groundbreaking projects that mark "firsts" for the Borneo region:
- Organ Transplant Hub: In November 2024, she announced plans for Sabah’s first organ transplant facility at HUMS, including an Organ Procurement Unit—filling a critical gap in regional infrastructure.
- Clinical Equine Therapy: Under her leadership, HUMS will become the first hospital in Borneo to offer horse-assisted therapy for children with disabilities in 2025.
- Mental Health Innovation: Partnering with UNICEF, she launched adolescent mental health programs, integrating innovative approaches into youth psychiatric care.
- Digital Health Advancements: Through collaborations with Intel, JelloX (Taiwan), and Qmed Malaysia, she is implementing AI-driven digital pathology. Other partnerships with Kyushu University (Japan) and Grameen Communications (Bangladesh) focus on portable clinics for rural health screening.
She also hosts the annual "Walk-a-Payung" Lupus awareness event via the Malaysian SLE Association Sabah Chapter, combining patient advocacy with public health education.
Academic Credentials & Institutional Affiliation
While specific degree details are not in the public record, Dr. Malehah’s seniority indicates the completion of a medical degree, postgraduate qualifications in Internal Medicine (likely MRCP or equivalent), sub-specialty training in Rheumatology, and doctoral-level achievements qualifying her for Associate Professorship. Her verified academic affiliation is through Universiti Malaysia Sabah (ORCID: 0000-0002-8166-7119).
Her institutional base remains the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, in Kota Kinabalu. HUMS operates under the jurisdiction of UMS as a teaching hospital rather than a corporate entity—meaning her Deanship is an administrative leadership role within a public institution.
International & Domestic Partnerships
Beyond HUMS, Dr. Malehah has fostered strategic relationships to position Sabah in broader healthcare networks. Her collaborations include implementing smart hospital tech with Health4U Solution Sdn Bhd, integrated healthcare services with the Sabah State Health Department, and research projects with several international academic institutions. These partnerships reflect her role as a bridge between clinical practice, academic research, and healthcare management.
Conclusion
Dr. Malehah Datuk Mohd Noh represents a unique blend of clinical expertise, academic achievement, and institutional leadership. Her two decades in Rheumatology provide the medical foundation, while her current role as Dean of HUMS allows her to shape the future of healthcare delivery and medical education in Sabah. The initiatives she champions—from organ transplants to AI-driven diagnostics—point toward a strategic vision that transcends traditional hospital management toward regional healthcare transformation.
Change History
| Version | Date | Description | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2025-12-17 | Initial Version: Profile document for Prof. Malehah. | Gemini |