KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Skin Cancer Conference 2026 is a significant milestone for specialist care and medical collaboration in the state.
The event was officiated by Sabah State Health Director, Dr William Gotulis represented by the Deputy State Health Director (Medical),Dr Ridwan Hashim.
It was attended by 180 participants from Malaysia and abroad, including medical students, medical officers, allied health professionals, surgical trainees, specialists and consultants, from Malaysia and abroad.
Dr Gotulis said the conference reflects a strong commitment by the organisers to advancing clinical expertise, academic exchange and multidisciplinary cooperation in skin cancer management.
He commended the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit of Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, together with Kelab Plastik Akademik Sabah (KAPS), for taking the lead in organising the event.
According to him, the gathering comes at a crucial time, as skin cancer remains an increasingly important health concern, particularly in tropical regions such as Sabah where exposure to ultraviolet radiation is high throughout the year.
He stressed the need for greater awareness, early detection, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
According to him, strengthening expertise in this field is vital to ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care.
He also highlighted the importance of capacity building, training and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals to keep pace with evolving clinical challenges and medical advances.
Dr Gotulis also said the Sabah State Health Department remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare services, in line with the broader priorities of the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
“Conferences of this nature provide an important platform for exchanging ideas, sharing clinical experiences and disseminating the latest developments in diagnosis, treatment and reconstructive care for skin cancer patients.”
He also welcomed the participation of distinguished speakers and experts from various institutions and countries, saying their presence would enrich the scientific discussions and create valuable learning opportunities for participants.
Dr Gotulis further commended the organising committee for including practical sessions such as the PRS Suturing and Scar Management Workshop, which he said would give participants hands-on exposure to surgical techniques and modern scar management approaches.
He expressed confidence that the inaugural conference would serve as a catalyst for future collaboration, research and knowledge exchange, while ultimately contributing to better patient care and improved clinical outcomes.
He wished all participants a productive and successful meeting.
Thirteen speakers spoke during the event. They were Dr. Aldrin Jasper Placidus, Dr Sandhya A/P Rajaintharan, Dr. Teoh Xin Yun, Ms (Dr) Hamidah Mohd Zainal, Ms (Dr) Margarita Kepuladze, Ms (Dr) Ragnild Anak Redit, Dr. Nagarajan Nagalingam, Mr (Dr) Jeremiah See Un Chang, Ms (Dr) Lim Chiao Yee, Mr (Dr) Koh Khai Luen, Prof. Theddeus O.H Prasetyono, Mr (Dr) Mohammad Ali bin Mat Zain, and Mr (Dr) Ng Hian Chan.-pr/BNN
