In recent years in support of the health systems both in the public and the private sector work has been intensified with the establishment of the Operational Research Unit (ORU). These saw continued and currently ongoing community-based research work in sexual and reproductive health programs for women, men and youth and adolescents including the first ever study on men who have sex with men (MSM) in support of HIV prevention programs. Other community-based work involving participatory methods are in evaluation of integrated health and development programs, one of which is the holistic community health promotion and development program in Eastern Highlands which has a specific focus on community-based HIV prevention and maternal and child health through community participation. Women's health studies in three language groups in Eastern highlands is continuing to identify barriers to health seeking behaviour and empowering women in their local cultural setting to tackle and communicate the issues relating to their health with their women and men folks. There is capacity to conduct further social and behavioural studies linked to laboratory based work particularly in STI, HIV and AIDS.

In all these research work ongoing public health and social research training takes place as part and partial of research capacity and human resource development of the country. This is consolidated by our recent formal memorandum of understanding with the University of Papua New Guinea to fully participate as partners in undergraduate and postgraduate training. Discussions and plans are underway with the Divine Word University for similar collaboration. So IMR is both a research and training institution.