Menzies School of Health Research

01/08/2025

Menzies Timor-Leste hetan onra atu simu reprezentante ida husi Edwards Lifesciences Foundation— doadór jenerozu ida ne’ebé apoia projetu NEARER SCAN / LENO BESIK.

Vizita ne'e marka momentu ligasaun ida ne'ebé forte entre apoiante projetu no ekipa dedikadu sira iha terenu. Ho apoiu husi Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, ekipa Moras Fuan Reumátika (RHD) treina ona profisionál saúde lokál na’in 25 no fó formasaun echo iha fatin estudu lima – treina abilidade importante sira iha sistema saúde Timor-Leste nia laran.

Tinan ida-ne'e, ita atinji ona ema hamutuk 787 liuhusi eventu triajen komunitária nian, hodi identifika kazu pozitivu hamutuk 31 husi moras RHD. Ema sira-ne'e agora hetan hela pasa vizita ne'ebé sira presiza liuhusi ospitál nasionál.

Reprezentante Edwards Lifesciences Foundation envolve an ho ekipa RHD hodi aprende kona-ba projetu nia impaktu real no ninia esforsu kolaborativu ho autoridade saúde lokál sira hodi hadi’a kuidadu fuan iha Timor-Leste.

Menzies Timor-Leste had the honour of hosting a representative from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation— a generous donor supporting the NEARER SCAN / LENO BESIK project.

The visit marked a powerful moment of connection between the project’s supporters and the dedicated teams on the ground. With support from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, the Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) team has trained 25 local health professionals and delivered echo training across five study sites - building vital skills within Timor-Leste's health system.

This year, we’ve already reached 787 individuals through community screening events, identifying 31 positive cases of RHD. These individuals are now receiving the follow-up care they need through the national hospital.

The Edwards Lifesciences Foundation representative engaged with the RHD team to learn about the project’s real-world impact and its collaborative efforts with local health authorities to improve cardiac care in Timor-Leste.

01/08/2025

Foin lalais ne’e, Ministra ba Komérsiu, Negósiu no Relasaun ho Áziatiku husi Territóriu Norte nian, Sua Exelensia Robyn Cahill, halo vizita ba eskritóriu Menzies Timor-Leste iha Dili nu’udar parte ida husi nia vizita ofisiál mai nasaun.
Ida-ne'e nu’udar oportunidade ida ba ita nia ekipa hodi fahe servisu sira ne’ebe ho objetivu atu haforsa sistema saúde no apoia dezenvolvimentu ba kapasitasaun forsa traballu iha área klíniku, vijilánsia no laboratóriu.

Menzies iha kna’ar prinsipal hodi apoia setór saúde Timor-Leste nian, ne’ebé foka atu hari’i sustentabilidade husi kapasidade saúde no parseria entre Austrália no Timor-Leste.
Di'ak tebes atu ita bele hatudu kolaborasaun importante sira-ne'e ho tempu hanesan ita mós esforsu an atu hadi'a saúde no moris-di'ak husi ema sira iha rejiaun ne'ebé ita serbisu ba.

We recently had Northern Territory Minister for Trade, Business and Relations with Asia, the Hon. Robyn Cahill, visit the Menzies Timor-Leste office in Dili as part of her official visit to the country.
This was an opportunity for our team to share our work which aims to strengthen the health system and support the development of workforce capacity across clinical, surveillance, and laboratory settings.

Menzies has a key role in supporting Timor-Leste's health sector, focused on building sustainable health capacity and partnerships between Australia and Timor-Leste.
Great to be able to demonstrate these important collaborations as we strive to improve the health and wellbeing of the people across the regions where we work.

Robyn Cahill Member for Port Darwin

30/07/2025

OUR PEOPLE | Have you seen the new film, Take Heart: Song Lines? Don’t miss the chance to hear from one of the film’s co-producers, Associate Professor Aunty Vicki Wade.

Vicki is a First Nations Senior Research Fellow at Menzies, and a tireless advocate for the elimination of rheumatic heart disease.

Hear all about her journey in health research as she catches up with Jess Ong on ABC Darwin Afternoons Program today, at 1:30pm (ACST).

This radio series is part of our 40th anniversary celebrations.

28/07/2025

Menzies sente orgullu tebes bele hamutuk ho Vise-Ministru Servisu Saúde Institusionál no delegasaun Ministériu Saúde Timor-Leste, iha Melbourne, sira envolve an ho ekipa Inisiativa Haforsa Sistema Emerjénsia no Kuidadu Krítiku Rejionál (RECSI), ne’ebé lidera husi Alfred Health. RECSI hanesan programa kolaborativu ida ne’ebé implementa iha Timor-Leste husi Menzies no finansia husi Governu Austrália. Nia serbisu atu hasa’e prestasaun servisu emerjénsia no kuidadu krítiku iha Timor-Leste, Papua Nova Guiné, no iha rejiaun Pasífiku tomak. Iha Timor-Leste, RECSI fó apoiu ba melloramentu klíniku liuhusi kolaborasaun besik ho médiku emerjénsia no kuidadu krítiku sira iha Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) iha Dili.

Hanesan parte ida husi vizita ne’e, delegasaun sira vizita mós Sentru Emerjénsia no Trauma Ospitál Alfred nian, esplora mós nia sentru komandu dijitál (ORA) ne'ebé avansadu tebes, no konklui sira nia vizita ho la'o iha Unidade Kuidadu Intensivu ne’ebe bo’ot iha Austrália—ho fasilidade k**a 64 ne’ebe kapa’as tebes.

Menzies were proud to join the Timor-Leste Vice Minister for Institutional Health Services and the Ministry of Health delegation, in Melbourne, where they engaged with the Regional Emergency and Critical Care Systems Strengthening Initiative (RECSI) team, led by Alfred Health. RECSI is a collaborative program implemented in Timor-Leste by Menzies and funded by the Australian Government. It works to enhance emergency and critical care services in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and across the Pacific. In Timor-Leste, RECSI supports clinical improvement through close collaboration with emergency and critical care physicians at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) in Dili.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured the Alfred Hospital Emergency & Trauma Centre, explored its state-of-the-art digital command centre (ORA), and concluded their visit with a walk through Australia’s largest Intensive Care Unit—an impressive 64-bed facility.

Regional Emergency and Critical Care Systems Strengthening Initiative
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Palácio das Cinzas

24/07/2025

Join the Diabetes across the LIFECOURSE: Northern Australia Partnership for our upcoming Annual Educational Symposium in Darwin - and online!

This full-day symposium is focused on the impact of community-led partnership in diabetes – featuring global keynote presentations from Professor Brandy Wicklow – University of Manitoba, Canada and Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle, Monash Health. The event will showcase new research and practical insights into preventing and treating type 2 diabetes through place-based, collaborative models of care.

🗓️ Friday 8 August | 8:00am – 4:30pm (ACST)
📍 Darwin | Menzies School of Health Research, JMB Auditorium
💻 Online (via Zoom) + Satellite Sites in Alice Springs & Cairns

Register your place today: https://tinyurl.com/5casdb8k

23/07/2025

We were proud to celebrate the rich history, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during the 50th Anniversary of .

It was a powerful week filled with storytelling, learning, and meaningful community connection — all vital as we continue our journey toward reconciliation.

From Darwin to Alice Springs, we hosted and took part in a range of events. Take a look at some of the highlights below.

17/07/2025

DIABETES WEEK | It’s Diabetes Australia’s National Diabetes Week, running from 13-19 July 2025. This year’s theme is focused on ‘a healthier future for everyone’ – looking at preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, as well as preventing complications for those living with all types of diabetes.

Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different – and it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

Be inspired by Johneisha Robinson, a young woman from Kalkarindji who shares her journey with type 2 diabetes, and how she’s building a healthier future.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5gZGk-_wpU&list=PLRs_C3LCxOg1jpHHf3rzVOjCcQcQa_mkl&index=17

Working together to find better ways to support young Indigenous mob living with Type 2 Diabetes.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youth.t2dInstagram: https...

17/07/2025

Menzies sente orgullu tebes atu hola parte iha delegasaun Timor-Leste, ne’ebé lidera husi Sua Exelénsia Vise-Ministru ba Fortalesimentu Institusionál Saúde, José dos Reis Magno, durante sira-nia vizita foin lalais ne’e ba World Mosquito Program nia Laboratóriu Wolbachia iha Monash University iha Melbourne, Australia. Vizita ne’e marka pasu signifikativu ida kona-ba parseria entre Timor-Leste no WMP, ho apoiu husi Menzies atu luta hasoru moras ne’ebé hada’et husi vetor sira hanesan moras dengue. Kolaborasaun ne’e hanesan pasu importante ida ba Timor-Leste nia kompromisu atu hadi’a saúde públika.

Delegasaun ne’e hetan oportunidade atu vizita WMP nia instalasaun sira ne’ebé avansadu tebes, iha ne’ebé Timor-Leste nia susuk ne’ebé infetadu ho Wolbachia prepara dadaun hela antes atu husik susuk sira ne’e iha Dili fulan Agostu ne’e. Demonstrasaun husi WMP nia prosesu kontrolu kualidade ne'ebé rigorozu fó perspektiva ne’ebe iha valór sientífiku kona-ba aproximasaun inovativu ida-ne’e.

Vise Ministru Magno hato’o apresiasaun sinseru entre WMP, Menzies Timor-Leste no Ministeriu Saúde iha haforsa sistema saúde públika no proteje komunidade sira husi surtu dengue.

Delegasaun ne’e kompostu husi Ministeriu Saúde, Institutu Nasionál Saúde Públika Timor-Leste (INSP-TL), Servisu Munisipal Saúde Dili, Departamentu Negósiu Estranjeiru no Komérsiu (DFAT) no Menzies Timor-Leste.

Servisu ne’e nu’udar parte ida husi programa implementasaun Wolbachia iha Timor-Leste, ne’ebé lidera husi Ministeriu Saúde iha parseria ho Menzies Timor-Leste, Action on Poverty, World Mosquito Program no hetan apoiu husi Macquarie Group Foundation no Australian Embassy, Timor-Leste.
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Menzies was proud to be part of the Timor-Leste delegation, led by His Excellency the Vice Minister for Institutional Health Strengthening, José dos Reis Magno, during their recent visit to the World Mosquito Program’s (WMP) Wolbachia Laboratory at Monash University in Melbourne. The visit marked a significant milestone in the partnership between Timor-Leste and WMP, with the support from Menzies in the fight against vector-borne diseases like dengue. The collaboration is an important step forward in Timor-Leste's commitment to improve public health outcomes.

The delegation had a chance to tour WMP’s state-of-the-art facilities, where Timor-Leste’s own line of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is being prepared ahead of the scheduled release in Dili this August. Demonstrations of WMP’s rigorous quality control processes provided valuable insights into the science behind this innovative approach.

Vice Minister Magno expressed sincere appreciation between WMP, Menzies Timor-Leste, and the Ministeriu Saúde in strengthening public health systems and protecting communities from dengue outbreaks.

The delegation composed of the Ministeriu Saúde, National Institute of Public Health Timor-Leste (INSP-TL), Dili Municipality Health Service, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Menzies Timor-Leste.

This work is part of the Wolbachia implementation program in Timor-Leste, led by the Ministeriu Saúde in partnership with Menzies Timor-Leste Action on Poverty, World Mosquito Program and supported by the and Australian Embassy, Timor-Leste.



Palácio das Cinzas

14/07/2025

NEW STUDY | Menzies’ researchers have led the largest-ever study of people living with a unique strain of chronic hepatitis B (C4 hepatitis B), uncovering significant impacts on liver health.

Recently published in BMC Infectious Diseases, these are the latest findings from the Hep B PAST program – a partnership approach to eliminate hepatitis B in the NT. The results provide valuable insights to help shape public policy and care.

The next stage of the Hep B PAST program – Hep B PAST Plus – is now working with new and existing partners to codesign an approach to reduce the burden of liver disease in First Nations populations in northern Australia.

Read the study in full: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11213-w

Learn more in our latest media release: https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/News_and_Events/Latest_News/

This work has been made possible thanks to program partners and collaborators: ASHM , Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cancer Council Australia, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Danila Dilba Health Service, Hepatitis Australia , Hepatitis B Voices Australia, Katherine West Health Board, Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Marthakal Homelands Health Service, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia, Northern Territory AIDS & Hepatitis Council, NT Health, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service.

12/07/2025

CAMO-Net, nu’udar kolaborasaun ida entre Menzies Timor Leste no Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), iha ne’ebé hetan apoiu husi Wellcome Trust - lansa ona Faze 1 husi Monitorizasaun Medikamentu Terapéutiku (TDM) ba antibiótiku prinsipal sira.

Liuhusi kolaborasaun ho ospitál sira iha ra’i laran - inklui HNGV, HOREX Baucau, RAEOA, no fasilidade sira iha Maubisse, Maliana no Covalima - projetu ida-ne'e serbisu atu hadi'a oinsá uza antibiótiku sira hodi kombate infesaun no prevene rezisténsia.

CAMO-Net, a collaboration between Menzies Timor Leste and Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), supported by the Wellcome Trust - has launched Phase 1 of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) for key antibiotics.

In collaboration with hospitals across the country - including HNGV, HOREX Baucau, RAEOA, and facilities in Maubisse, Maliana, and Covalima - this project is working to improve how antibiotics are used to fight infection and prevent resistance.

10/07/2025

Have you seen the recently launched 2025 Australian Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)?

Catch Menzies’ Associate Professor Aunty Vicki Wade and Dr James Marangou as they share some of the latest guideline updates!

Thanks to The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand who sat down with Vicki and James at the recent Indigenous Cardiovascular Health Conference held in Sydney.

If you’re a clinician working in heart health:
Watch the interview: https://vimeo.com/1097371085/933f0036fc
Download the guidelines: https://rhdaustralia.org.au/arf-rhd-guidelines/



Heart Foundation

(Available online only) Aunty Vicki Wade and Dr James Marangou talk about the 2025 Guideline. HERE (6:07mins) The Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition) includes standards, recommendations, and guidance to sup...