The Clinical Research Centre (CRC) was established in 2000 as the clinical research arm of the Ministry of Health to conduct clinical trials, clinical epidemiology and economic research, and manage complex medical databases. Under the purview of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the CRC promotes, supports and conducts quality and ethical research to improve patient outcome. The CRC also conducts training and professional development courses and assist in problems faced by clinicians in the conduct of their clinical research.

Initially established in Kuala Lumpur Hospital the CRC has gradually expanded into a network of 17 CRCs nationwide including: Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Selayang Hospital, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Penang Hospital, Ipoh Hospital, Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital, Melaka Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, Sarawak General Hospital, Sabah, TuankuFauziah Hospital, Ampang Hospital, Serdang Hospital.