adapted from the Foreward section of Berita PPJJM 2025

Throughout 2025, MRDS has remained committed to raising awareness about rare diseases and strengthening support for affected individuals and their families. In response to current developments and the needs of the community, various programs and activities have been planned and implemented to foster a more inclusive and comprehensive ecosystem for rare diseases.
These efforts align with the core objectives for which MRDS was established, including:

• Safeguarding the well-being of individuals and families affected by rare diseases;
• Providing support in areas such as treatment, rehabilitation, education, and social well-being;
• Disseminating accurate, up-to-date information and increasing public awareness regarding rare diseases;
• Establishing and strengthening a network for the rare disease community; and
• Forging partnerships with various stakeholders to improve the quality of life for affected individuals and their families.

Honoring the trust and confidence placed in them by members during the previous General Meeting, the MRDS team has worked to implement various governance improvements, ensuring that the association is managed with transparency, accountability, and prudence.
Accordingly, the Committee Members of the Malaysian Rare Diseases Society (MRDS) have introduced the strategic “ACE+” approach—comprising *Advocate, Co-Create & Collaborate,* and *Enable & Integrate*—as a natural progression from previous frameworks, namely ACU (*Advocate, Collaborate, Unite*) and ACE (*Advocate, Collaborate, Enable*).
This approach serves as a guide for MRDS in strengthening advocacy efforts, expanding strategic partnerships, and empowering the rare disease community. MRDS hopes that these initiatives will continue to benefit the community and contribute to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for individuals and families in Malaysia affected by rare diseases.