Goh Cheng Soon

Biography and Expertise of Goh Cheng Soon

Dr. Goh Cheng Soon is a leading architect of Malaysia’s modern traditional and complementary medicine landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, she has masterfully navigated the worlds of clinical practice and public health policy, dedicating the last 20 years to the strategic integration of T&CM into the national health system. Her journey from an allopathic doctor to a national policy director showcases a profound commitment to creating a more inclusive and comprehensive healthcare model for the Malaysian population.

Her work directly embodies the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” Dr. Goh led the landmark implementation of Malaysia’s Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016, a critical piece of legislation that provides a legal framework for the practice and regulation of T&CM. Therefore, her expertise offers a powerful case study for South-South collaboration, providing other nations with a replicable model for governance and integration. Furthermore, her efforts align perfectly with the principles of the Gujarat Declaration by prioritizing science, evidence, and sustainability in national health strategies.

Beyond legislation, Goh Cheng Soon has been instrumental in developing long-term strategic plans, including the T&CM Blueprint 2018-2027. This blueprint charts a clear course for strengthening T&CM services, research, and education nationwide. Her contributions are vital for translating the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy into concrete national actions, making her insights invaluable to the global dialogue on strengthening public health through knowledge diversity and integrated care.

Professional Career

Dr. Goh Cheng Soon’s professional trajectory reflects a steady progression from hands-on clinical care to high-level national and international health policy leadership. This dual experience provides her with a grounded, pragmatic approach to healthcare administration, ensuring that policies are both ambitious and achievable. Her career is a testament to dedicated public service and a forward-thinking vision for health.

Beginning as a medical doctor, she built a strong foundation in patient care before transitioning to roles where she could impact the health of the entire nation. This path has equipped her to address complex challenges, from regulatory frameworks to national crisis response.

• 2011 – Present: Director of the Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, leading the national agenda for T&CM integration.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: Served as a key member of the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (Hospital Services), contributing to policy-making and administrative support for hospitals nationwide.
• 2004 – 2011: Held various administrative and policy roles within the Ministry of Health Malaysia headquarters, including in the Medico-Legal Unit and the Practice Division, before focusing on T&CM.
• 1993 – 2004: Served as an allopathic medical doctor with 14 years of clinical experience in various public hospitals, including Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and Hospital Kuala Pilah.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Goh Cheng Soon uniquely combines the precision of Western allopathic medicine with the broad perspective of public health science. This powerful synthesis has enabled her to champion an evidence-based approach to traditional medicine, ensuring that integration efforts are rooted in scientific rigor and population-level data. Her education has been pivotal in her ability to build bridges between different medical paradigms.

This interdisciplinary training allows her to communicate effectively with clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and traditional practitioners alike. Consequently, her academic background is a cornerstone of her success in developing and implementing comprehensive national health strategies that respect both tradition and science.

• Master of Science in Public Health: Earned from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The National University of Malaysia), this advanced degree provided her with the skills for health policy analysis, epidemiology, and health systems management.
• Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): Obtained from the prestigious Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India, this degree provided her with a comprehensive foundation in allopathic medical practice and patient care.

Research and Publications

While deeply involved in policy, Dr. Goh Cheng Soon has also made significant contributions to the scholarly and research landscape of T&CM. Her work focuses on creating robust ecosystems for research and translating findings into actionable policies. She has championed the development of national research priorities, ensuring that scientific inquiry is aligned with public health needs and strategic goals.

A key achievement in this area was her leadership in developing the Framework on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research in Malaysia (2023). This framework establishes clear guidelines and priorities for T&CM research, fostering a culture of evidence generation. Therefore, her efforts directly support the scientific validation of traditional practices, a core theme of the 3rd WCTCIM.

Her most notable publication is the book she co-authored and co-edited, a significant contribution to the literature on healthy aging. This work exemplifies her commitment to addressing public health challenges across the lifespan.

Key Publication:

• Healthy Ageing in Asia: Culture, Prevention and Wellness (2022): This influential book explores diverse cultural approaches to aging across Asia. It emphasizes preventive health and wellness strategies rooted in traditional knowledge, offering valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals working with aging populations globally.

Awards and Recognitions

The distinguished career of Dr. Goh Cheng Soon has been marked by numerous accolades from both national and international bodies. These awards recognize her exceptional service, leadership, and profound impact on public health in Malaysia. Consequently, these honors underscore her status as a leading authority in the field of health policy and traditional medicine integration.

Each recognition reflects a specific aspect of her multifaceted contributions, from consistent excellence in her duties to her expert guidance on a national level. These awards validate her innovative approach and tireless dedication to improving public health outcomes.

• Public Health Specialist Status: A prestigious title conferred by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, acknowledging her expert contributions and leadership in the field of public health.
• Award of Excellence Service: Received on three separate occasions (1999, 2005, and 2017) from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, highlighting her sustained high performance and commitment throughout her career.
• Best Project Report Award: Awarded by the Public Service Department Malaysia in 2017 for her work in the 22nd JPA–BMCC Management Development Programme, recognizing her strategic and analytical capabilities.

Board and Committee Activities

Dr. Goh Cheng Soon extends her influence and expertise through active participation in a wide array of national and international committees and councils. These roles place her at the forefront of global health governance, allowing her to shape policy, promote international collaboration, and advocate for the evidence-based integration of T&CM. Her involvement is crucial for harmonizing standards and strategies across different regions.

Her international appointments, particularly with the World Health Organization (WHO), highlight her global standing as a leading expert. Furthermore, her roles as a focal point for bilateral collaborations strengthen South-South cooperation, a key theme of the 3rd WCTCIM.

• Co-Chair for the 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Summit 2025: A premier leadership role in a major global event shaping the future of traditional medicine.
• Co-Chair for the Topic Group on Traditional Medicine (TG-TM): A key position within the Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H), exploring the intersection of technology and traditional medicine.
• WHO Consultant: Frequently serves as a consultant on T&CM policy and regulation, providing expert advice to the global health body.
• Council Member: Sits on the Council of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
• Committee Member: Contributes to the Medical Research & Ethics Committee within the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
• International Focal Point: Represents Malaysia as the focal point for T&CM collaborations with ASEAN, China (for Chinese Medicine), and India (for Indian Systems of Medicine).

Connect with Dr. Goh

To gain deeper insights into the work and policy initiatives led by Dr. Goh Cheng Soon, you can explore her professional profiles and the official portal of the division she leads. These resources offer comprehensive information on her contributions to public health and the regulatory landscape of traditional and complementary medicine in Malaysia.

Official Profile on ORCID: View Publications and Professional History

T&CM Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia: Explore the Official Division Website