At the heart of Maluk Timor’s ongoing impact is the strength of our incredible team, and it wouldn’t be complete without Professor Josh Francis. A passionate paediatrician, infectious diseases specialist, and global health advocate, Josh’s rare combination of clinical excellence and community partnerships means he brings invaluable skills to his work in Timor-Leste. His leadership has consistently elevated both clinical programs and strategic partnerships to create meaningful real-world change. One of our Board Directors, Josh is a professor at the Menzies School of Health Research and has a long history of working in Timor-Leste’s health sector, as well as Australia’s.
We’re thrilled to report that Josh has recently been awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant as part of his work at Menzies. Here’s how Josh’s continued work will keep paving the way towards healthcare solutions across Timor-Leste through this grant opportunity.
Professor Josh Francis’ dedicated work in Timor-Leste
Since 2015, Josh has provided dedicated support as a Board Director for Maluk Timor, bringing not only clinical expertise with him, but core focuses on teaching, capacity strengthening, health systems improvement and operational research.
His research in the areas of tuberculosis, rheumatic heart disease and antimicrobial resistance across the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste have resulted in direct policy impacts, strengthening key guidelines and health system strategy on national levels.
Josh’s work at Menzies creates strong opportunities for ongoing collaborative opportunities between our organisations. As the chief investigator on the Partnerships for a Healthier Region Initiative’s RESPOND project, Josh works closely with the Ministry of Health in Timor-Leste to strengthen communicable disease surveillance and control, and health research based on local priorities.
His rheumatic heart disease projects have also engaged remote communities in both Australia and Timor-Leste, fighting this preventable disease through active case-finding and community awareness initiatives.
Research Excellence and Surveillance to Promote One Health Solutions for Timor-Leste and the region (RESPOSTA)
Josh’s latest milestone is the awarding of an NHMRC grant to lead what’s known as RESPOSTA—Research Excellence and Surveillance to Promote One Health Solutions for Timor-Leste and the region. This work is directed at strengthening One Health research partners across Timor-Leste, Australia, and Indonesia by responding to challenges they share as priorities.
‘Timor-Leste and Nusa Tenggara Timur face significant, shared challenges that affect human health, animal health and the environment. Infections cross borders readily, and collaborative approaches to health problems are needed,’ shares Josh.
‘The RESPOSTA Centre for Research Excellence builds on the concept of akompana (side by side mentoring and accompaniment) that underpins the work of Menzies in Timor-Leste.’
This crucial work in the region will focus on:
- Promoting local leadership
- Mentoring local researchers through research projects that address important One Health issues, such as rabies, brucellosis, avian influenza, antibiotic resistance
- Consider novel approaches to improving food production and food safety
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, says ‘a strong, healthy region benefits us all – these new research partnerships will help to strengthen expertise across our region to better prevent and control infectious diseases.’
Strengthening and advancing Timor-Leste’s healthcare outcomes
The abilities this grant unlocks come at a significant moment in Timor-Leste’s healthcare future. The RESPOSTA Centre will build on a decade of work by Josh and his collaborators, including from Maluk Timor and Menzies. This continued research will support the ongoing development of a healthcare system that’s driven by locally led research.
By placing Timor-Leste’s health data and priorities in the hands of local researchers and healthcare practitioners, strategic decisions and programs are made within a deep local context. International partnerships continue to play a crucial role in Timor-Leste’s healthcare system. With Josh’s ongoing work at the RESPOSTA Centre, however, Timorese researchers and policymakers can be further equipped with the tools, training and access they need to lead research that reflects the realities of their communities.
This locally led research model means that solutions come from a place of cultural understanding, rich community trust, and first-hand experience of navigating the existing healthcare system. As an ethical and effective pathway to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system, the RESPOSTA Centre will make a powerful contribution to Timor-Leste’s on-the-ground frontline workers and strategic thinkers.
Conclusion
As Josh steps further into his continuing research, we’re grateful to call him a key part of the Maluk Timor family. His tireless advocacy and dedicated tenacity continues to build a brighter future for Timor-Leste’s healthcare system. To date, his work has helped shape clinical practices, influence national policy, and champion the continued development of healthcare leaders in Timor-Leste.
The launch of the RESPOSTA Centre for Research Excellence is a major step forward not just for Josh and Menzies, but for Maluk Timor and Timor-Leste as a nation. As the centre champions locally led research and builds cross-nation collaboration, we can’t wait to see the fruit of Josh’s leadership and see its impact across the country.