Save Tambuim Sik: Improving Health through Research is PNGIMR’s third annual virtual symposium, showcasing the Institute’s work addressing the current and emerging threats to the health of Papua New Guineans.
The virtual symposium was held on 10 August 2023 and viewed by at least 250 people in Papua New Guinea, Australia, Cambodia, the United States and other countries.
Extensive use of videos show scientists at work in the laboratory and the field and feature our partners from government describing the impact of our work.
The first half of the program featured:
- Words of welcome from PNGIMR Director Prof William Pomat, the Chair of the Institute’s governing council, Sir Prof Isi Kevau, and Prof Leanne Robinson speaking on behalf of the Buttressing Coalition
- A keynote address by Lady Roslyn Morauta, Chair of the Global Fund
- A journey through 15 years collecting the Malaria Indicator Survey that monitors the national malaria control program
- Update on PNGIMR research developments by Deputy Director Dr Moses Laman
- The achievements of the Molecular Hub in disease detection, research and capacity development told by PNGIMR scientists and representatives from government agencies and research partners
- A Spotlight on early career research by Dr Elishebah Malau about tackling CA-MRSA.
The second half of the program featured research that was increasing the prospects of eliminating specific life-threatening diseases. The innovations described by our researchers make use of recent scientific breakthroughs which are applied through models of care that are appropriate for Papua New Guinea. The sessions were:
- An update on how research, hand-in-hand with provincial health authorities and the National Department of Health are successfully eliminating lymphatic filariasis and other neglect tropical diseases.
- Discussion of how malarial research is closing the gaps that enable malarial transmission to flourish. This session focuses on a feasibility study to detect and treat vivax.
- An explanation of how more than a decade of research has led to testing outreach programs to deliver same-day screening and treatment for cervical cancer.
- A review of how PNGIMR and partners are introducing more effective tools for doctors to obtain an early diagnosis in infants born to HIV-positive mothers, assisting to ultimately eliminate mother-to-child transmission.