Assoc Prof Balakrishnan Abhilash

A/Prof Abhilash Balakrishnan attained his undergraduate medical studies at the University of Singapore, then post-graduated with an FRCS (Edinburgh) specialist degree. In 1990, A/Prof Balakrishnan became the first trained Paediatric Otolaryngologist in Singapore, after he had completed a clinical fellowship in Paediatric Otolaryngology at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London. From 1995 to 1996, he occupied the position of Acting Head for the Department of Otolaryngology in Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Next, he was appointed the Foundation Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the new KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) from May 1997 to December 2006. He currently holds the roles of Clinical Associate Professor in the National University of Singapore, and Senior Consultant for both the Departments of Otolaryngology in SGH and KKH.

Outside of clinical practice, A/Prof Balakrishnan makes significant contributions to the specialty through various voluntary positions. Between 1998 and 2004, he was a Council Member for the Academy of Medicine, Singapore where he also served as Chairman of the Chapter of Surgeons from 1998 to 2000. Since 2000, he has been a Member of the Specialist Training Committee in Otolaryngology for the Ministry of Health and holds an additional position on the Examining Board for the Exit Exams in Otolaryngology.

A/Prof Balakrishnan actively shares his expertise widely. He has published and lectured extensively, both locally and overseas, on the topic of paediatric otolaryngology. He is frequently invited as a speaker at the biennial meetings of the Inter-American Association of Pediatric Otolaryngology (IAPO) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He was also awarded the Honorary Membership of the South African Society of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery during their 44th Annual Congress in November 2008.

Within Singapore, he is the Co-Director of the annual Pediatric Airway Workshop at KKH. He also contributes as teaching faculty for the FESS and Otology & Neuro-otology workshops held yearly during the SGH ENT Instructional Course week.