About Us

GOASK
Group of Otorhinolaryngologist, Audiologist and Speech therapist, Kota Kinabalu.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Our Story​

GOASK (Group of ORL Specialists, Audiologists, and Speech Therapists Kota Kinabalu) is a multidisciplinary professional group formed by ENT specialists, audiologists, and speech therapists based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu.

We are part of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS), working collaboratively to advance ear, nose, throat, hearing, balance, voice, and communication care through education, training, and community engagement.

GOASK was established with the aim of promoting continuous medical education and practical skill development among healthcare professionals. We regularly organise ORL-related medical seminars, workshops, and hands-on training sessions, including tracheostomy workshops, basic surgical skills courses, and public awareness programmes such as World Hearing Day.

Beyond education, we are actively involved in community outreach programmes to improve access to ENT and hearing-related care in underserved areas across Sabah. Our outreach initiatives include programmes such as Tour de Borneo, with visits to districts including Sipitang, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Kota Marudu, Pitas, and surrounding communities.

Through collaboration, education, and outreach, GOASK is committed to strengthening ORL services, empowering healthcare providers, and improving the quality of care for the people of Sabah.

Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Specialised in ear, nose, throat, head & neck and Obstructive Sleep Apnea surgery, both in adult and paediatric age group.

Audiology and Vestibular Rehabilitation

Specialised in diagnosing, and treatment of hearing and vestibular problem, including hearing aids, cochlear implantation and both hearing and vestibular rehabilitation.

Swallowing and Speech Therapy

Specialised in diagnosing and treatment of swallowing and speech disorders, including post stroke swallowing rehabilitation and voice therapy for singers.

Our Specialties

Our expertise spans the full spectrum of otorhinolaryngology services, including the management of ear, nose, and throat disorders across all age groups. We provide comprehensive audiology and hearing services, care for balance and vestibular disorders, and assessment and rehabilitation of speech, voice, and swallowing conditions. As a multidisciplinary team, we have a strong focus on airway management and tracheostomy care, alongside continuous medical education through seminars, hands-on workshops, and basic surgical skills training. We are also actively involved in community outreach programmes, bringing ENT, hearing, and speech-related services to underserved and rural communities throughout Sabah.

Audiologists Team
ENT Clinic

Events Organized by ORL

We organise regular ORL-focused seminars, CME programmes, and hands-on workshops, including tracheostomy care, basic surgical skills training, and practical procedure-based sessions. Our events also include public awareness initiatives such as World Hearing Day, reflecting our commitment to education, skill development, and community engagement.

2025 Event Highlights

January

ENT Master Program Interview 2025

In January 2025, eleven of our Medical Officers took an important step in their career journey by attending the ENT Master Programme interview at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. They were Dr Joan, Dr Sharah, Dr Andrea, Dr Ooi, Dr Arif, Dr Gad, Dr Irene, Dr Hazeem, Dr Hazmi, Dr Solomon and Dr Syuraih. We are proud of each of them for taking on the challenge and pursuing further specialist training in ENT.

The much-anticipated results were announced in May 2025, with Dr Ooi and Dr Irene successfully offered places at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), while Dr Arif was offered a place at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Dr Solomon & Dr Syuraih were placed at University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA). Heartiest congratulations to all three on this wonderful achievement! We wish them every success as they begin this exciting new chapter in their journey towards becoming ENT specialists.

February


Program MED-EL Accreditation in Hearing Implant Rehabilitation 


Pada tahun ini, Pn Sitti Ladyia,Pn Wan Maizatulaimi dan Pn Nurul Fatin telah berjaya melengkapkan Kursus Teori dan Latihan Klinikal untuk melayakkan mereka bertiga mendapatkan sijil MED-EL Accreditation As Hearing Implant Rehabilitation. Program ini mensyaratkan para peserta untuk melengkapkan beberapa keperluan tertentu dalam jangka masa yang telah ditetapkan sepanjang tempoh ia berlangsung. 


Tempoh Program: Februari 2025 hingga September 2025. 
Laporan oleh: Wan Maizatulaimi

March

World Hearing Day 2025 


Sempena Sambutan Hari Pendengaran Sedunia 2025, Unit Audiologi Hospital Queen Elizabeth telah menganjurkan program kesedaran yang berlangsung pada 10 hingga 13 Mac 2025 di Ruang Legar Aras 2, Bangunan Berkembar, Hospital Queen Elizabeth. Program ini melibatkan penyertaan orang awam dan kakitangan hospital dengan objektif meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai kepentingan penjagaan telinga dan pendengaran, di samping menggalakkan penglibatan komuniti melalui aktiviti interaktif dan media sosial.

April


TRACHEOSTOMY WORKSHOP 2025


The Tracheostomy Workshop 2025 was successfully held on 21–22 April 2025 at the Auditorium, Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Led by Dr Gabriel, ENT Specialist, the two-day workshop was organised in collaboration with GOASK.
The workshop brought together 16 ENT specialists, 35 medical officers and 84 paramedics, with the shared goal of improving knowledge and practical skills in tracheostomy procedures and patient care.
Through a combination of teaching and hands-on learning, participants strengthened their understanding of safe tracheostomy management and essential aspects of day-to-day tracheostomy care.
The event also served as a valuable platform for multidisciplinary learning and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in delivering safe and effective care for patients with tracheostomies.

May


CONGRATULATIONS, ENT WARD!


A huge congratulations to our ENT Ward team for winning the Best Presenter Award for the Pilot Study during the World Nursing Day 2025 celebration!
This wonderful achievement reflects the team’s dedication, hard work and commitment towards continuous improvement in nursing care.

May

ENT Quizvaganza 2025


The ENT Quizvaganza 2025 was held on 10 May 2025, bringing together our ENT specialists and medical officers for a fun-filled battle of knowledge, teamwork and quick thinking.
Nine teams stepped up to the challenge with equally memorable names — Gadolinium, Nose Best, The Fantastic Four, Dugong United, Black Pink, Trivia Triots, Bleeders, Lundus and No Face. The competition was lively, with plenty of friendly rivalry and laughter along the way.
After an exciting battle, Gadolinium, represented by Dr Reegina, Dr Ooi and Dr Gad, emerged as the ENT Quizvaganza 2025 Champions! 🏆
Of course, no Quizvaganza would be complete without recognising the other end of the scoreboard. The prestigious Wooden Spoon Trophy 🥄 went to Trivia Triots — Dr Asvanesh, Dr Sharah and Dr Ain — for finishing with the lowest score, proving that at Quizvaganza, there is always something worth winning!
More than just a test of ENT knowledge, Quizvaganza provided a great opportunity for learning, team bonding and some much-needed fun outside the usual clinical routine.
Congratulations to Gadolinium and all our Quizvaganza teams — until the next battle of the ENT brains!

May

ENT Family Day


Strikes, Spares & Great Times Together!
The ENT Family Day 2025 was held on 2 May 2025, bringing our ENT doctors and staff together for a fun-filled Bowling Party!
Organised by Dr Jean and team, the highlight of the day was a friendly bowling tournament among ENT doctors and staff. With plenty of strikes, a few unexpected gutter balls, friendly competition and lots of laughter, everyone had the chance to unwind and enjoy time together away from the usual hospital routine.
More than just a competition, the event was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen friendships, teamwork and the sense of family within our ENT Department.
Great games, great company and great memories — that’s what ENT Family Day is all about! 🎳🏆

June

Tour De Borneo 8: Sipitang


We continued where we left off from 2 years ago in Beaufort Hospital. Our previous southbound  journey was to Kuala Penyu the year before, this year it was 48km journey onwards towards Sipitang
The route is usually not difficult as it was mainly flat. The challenge was cycling on the partially completed Pan Borneo Highway. Part of the roads were diverted onto gravel terrain. It was difficult to balance on the small rocks. The air got dusty after the vehicles passed as the weather was hot and dry that day. In the end, all of the riders arrived safely at Sipitang Hospital, and we later pedaled slowly towards the finish point at Dewan Serbaguna Majlis Daerah Sipitang. We had a short discussion on setting up the venue for the next day.
Night time: Instead of the usual barbeque tradition, we opted for group dinner at a diner located at Kaka Resthouse. It was an intimate session among us as we rarely get to meet up in this group setting during work. Some stayed on for complimentary karaoke session at the diner till late.
The health screening started at 800am the next day. Attandance was amazing, as we managed to examine 178 visitors. We had our usual ORL, Dental, Audiology and Speech therapy stations. Sipitang Hospital also set up their health screening, blood donation and other health related station.
The event concluded on high note with the visitors, hospital staff and the crew – all were satisfied with the service provided within a short period of time. 

13 & 14 June 2025
Report by Dr Ahmad Nordin

October

1st Paediatric Tracheostomy Workshop


Pelaksanaan bengkel merangkumi gabungan sesi teori dan latihan praktikal yang disusun secara sistematik bermula dengan sesi pendaftaran, ucapan pembukaan, ujian pra penilaian, serta siri ceramah berkaitan pengenalan trakeostomi, komplikasi, teknik penjagaan luka, prosedur suctioning, penukaran tiub dan jenis-jenis tiub trakeostomi. Program turut menampilkan sesi latihan amali (hands-on) yang memberi peluang kepada peserta mengaplikasikan kemahiran secara langsung di bawah bimbingan pakar. Bengkel diakhiri dengan ujian pasca penilaian dan sesi perbincangan bagi menilai tahap kefahaman peserta serta memperkukuhkan penguasaan kemahiran, seterusnya menyokong usaha meningkatkan kualiti penjagaan pesakit ORL secara berterusan
Impak / Hasil: Jumlah peserta yang telah menghadiri bengkel ini adalah seramai 22 orang terdiri daripada jururawat dari HWKKS dan juga dari UMS.
Tarikh: 16 Oktober 2025
Tempat: Bilik Persidangan PGMC, HWKKS
Kerjasama: Ihsan Bakti Sdn Bhd, Consumedic Enterprise.

December

Tour De Borneo 9: Paitan


In continuation of our journey towards the east side, we picked Paitan as our destination for the 9th tour. As Paitan Outpatient Clinic was under renovation, discussion with the local team was to have it at another clinic in that district, which was the newly built Klinik Kesihatan Tangkarason
 The team started cycling from our previous 7th cycling tour stop at Pitas Hospital. We headed towards Pitas via the only route available. The 73 km route was mainly flat. Weather- it was cloudy, and rained midway through the ride. The challenge faced this time was the last segment of the journey was riding through trail palm oil plantation road. Added with the pouring rain, it was tough as the road was slightly muddy and with intermittent sloppy elevations. To make matters worse, we lost direction as there were no proper signboards. As it was getting dark, the pickup truck was used to transport the riders and the bicycles to the final segment of tar road which led to the clinic. 
 Continuing the previous tour itinerary, we had a get together and barbecue session at Klinik Kesihatan Tangkarason. It was a wonderful time to unwind and share our experience cycling earlier, and also about Paitan, as most were first timers being in this small outskirt town. 
 The health screening started at 800am as usual. The turnout was very satisfactory, we had 150 participants screened in total. Majority of the cases could be managed, few need follow up in our Visiting Clinic in Kota Marudu. 3 nasopharynx biopsy samples taken for query of NPC turned out to be negative in the end.  
 The event concluded on high note with the visitors, hospital staff and the crew – all were satisfied with the service provided within a short period of time. We would again thank the participants, clinic staffs and authorities for their support to this program.
 Footnote: on14th February 2026, massive flood in East Coast of Sabah has caused Klinik Kesihatan Tangkaason to be submerged with water up to level of the roof. This has caused total loss to assets and equipments, including 3 clinic vehicles. We hope the staff of the clinic can recover and continue their much needed service to community in near future. 
5 & 6 December 2025
Report by Dr Ahmad Nordin

December

MASH Program: Clear Middle Ear. Strong School Years

Public talk on middle ear disorders among school children, parent and teachers at Kota Kinabalu Tanjung Aru Library.