Australia is supporting Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH) to advance the development and delivery of two medicines, moxidectin and dovramilast, for the treatment of some of the world’s most challenging, disfiguring and stigmatising infectious diseases. Scabies, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy type 2 reaction negatively impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people globally and have some of the highest reported prevalence rates in the Indo-Pacific.

Australia has been supporting the Burnet Institute, PNG Institute of Medical Research and PNG National Department of Health to implement the Stronger Surveillance for Vector Borne Pathogens (STRIVE) program in Papua New Guinea since 2018 and is committed to the effective delivery of Phase 2.

Australia is recommitting its support to the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) to continue institutional strengthening via the Strengthening Research and Operational Needs through Good Infrastructure and Modernisation (STRONGIM IMR) program. This investment builds on our partnership dating back to 2019, with a focus on building safe, accessible and productive workplaces; installing IT improvements and upgrades; strengthening the capacity to conduct collaborative and impactful research in emerging fields ; and fortifying administrative and support services.

Australia is continuing its support for HIV testing and treatment initiatives in Papua New Guinea through the ACTUP-PNG program. 

IVCC develops innovative vector control tools to guard against malaria and dengue-carrying mosquitoes. With DFAT support, IVCC will expand a vector control toolbox tailored to Indo-Pacific contexts, better equipping countries to prevent and manage outbreaks and ultimately eliminate Vector Borne Diseases.
Activities include:
 

Australia’s partnership with James Cook University (JCU) is supporting Pacific Island Countries and areas (PICs) to combat mosquito-borne diseases and improve community health and well-being through strengthened mosquito surveillance and control. JCU manages the Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (PacMOSSI) consortium, which supports PICs to  prevent, control and contain diseases such as dengue, malaria, Chikungunya and Zika.