Health

Researchers from UQ and the Universitas Negeri Papua (State University of Papua) are taking up the challenge of developing HIV education for customary leaders in rural and remote areas of West Papua province so that they can support HIV prevention and care.

Female genital cutting (FGC) is the practice of cutting or removing part of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. In many countries of the developing world, a girl’s transition to womanhood can be marked by some form of this tradition. UQ School of Economics researcher Dr David Smerdon has been working with local NGOs in Somalia to find policy solutions to eradicate FGC.

Enormous asymmetries exist between the people living in the South Fly region of Papua New Guinea and those living just across the border in the Torres Strait in terms of livelihoods, opportunities, and more. UQ researchers engaged with people and communities in this complex border region between PNG and Australia to develop recommendations that aim to improve the livelihoods of those residing in the South Fly.

As a new group of UQ medical students prepare to volunteer in Papua New Guinea, third-year medical student Rose Blackwood reflects on her experience as part of the project.

New research partnerships tackling health challenges in the Pacific are expected to result from a unique gathering at The University of Queensland in 2018.