KOTA KINABALU: July 4, 2026 – Sabah has hosted its first-ever skin cancer conference, bringing together 180 medical professionals from Malaysia and abroad to discuss advances in diagnosis, treatment, and reconstructive care.
The two-day Sabah Skin Cancer Conference 2026 was officially opened by Deputy State Health Director (Medical), Dr Ridwan Hashim, on behalf of State Health Director Dr William Gotulis.
The conference, organised by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit of Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, together with the Kelab Plastik Akademik Sabah (KAPS), marks an important step for specialist care and multidisciplinary collaboration in Sabah.
“This conference reflects a strong commitment by the organisers to advancing clinical expertise, academic exchange, and multidisciplinary cooperation in skin cancer management,” he said.
Dr Gotulis noted that skin cancer was a growing health concern, particularly in tropical regions like Sabah, where ultraviolet radiation levels remain high throughout the year.
He stressed the need for greater public awareness, early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment.
“Strengthening expertise in this field is vital to ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care,” he said, adding that capacity-building and knowledge-sharing among healthcare professionals were essential to keep pace with evolving clinical challenges.
The Sabah State Health Department, he said, remained committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of healthcare services, in line with broader national health priorities.
He welcomed the participation of distinguished speakers and experts from various institutions and countries, saying their contributions would enrich scientific discussion and create valuable learning opportunities.
The conference also featured practical sessions, including a suturing and scar management workshop, which Dr Gotulis said would give participants hands-on exposure to surgical techniques and modern scar-management approaches.
He expressed hope that the inaugural conference would serve as a catalyst for future research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, ultimately leading to better patient care and clinical outcomes.
Thirteen speakers addressed the conference: Dr Aldrin Jasper Placidus, Dr Sandhya Rajaintharan, Dr Teoh Xin Yun, Dr Hamidah Mohd Zainal, Dr Margarita Kepuladze, Dr Ragnild Anak Redit, Dr Nagarajan Nagalingam, Dr Jeremiah See Un Chang, Dr Lim Chiao Yee, Dr Koh Khai Luen, Prof Theddeus O.H Prasetyono, Dr Mohammad Ali Mat Zain, and Dr Ng Hian Chan.
