Lina Tomas Mariano, Assistant Director of Lamusica (organisation against violence against women in Chimoio, Mozambique) Photo: G Chamberlain
The Centre for International Health works with communities, civil society organisations, governments, international non-government organisations and UN agencies, with a particular interest in the Asia and Pacific regions and Africa. Main areas of focus are HIV prevention and care, women's and children's health, including sexual and reproductive health and nutrition, and primary health care.
A broad approach is taken to community health development, addressing social, cultural and economic determinants of health and vulnerability, and the strengthening of health systems to better deliver curative and preventive services. In a number of countries, the focus is on working with vulnerable young people and in reducing the harms associated with drug and alcohol use, including injecting drug use.
Initiated by Professor Rob Moodie in 1991, the Centre was the first to provide a focus for international health in Melbourne. In addition to the office in Melbourne there is now a regional office in Bangkok and country program offices in China (Tibet), Bali, Lombok and Aceh in Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar (Burma), Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Mozambique.
The Centre for International Health is affiliated with Monash University and the University of Melbourne, and provides teaching in international public health at both under-graduate and post-graduate level. Through the Centre for International Health the Burnet Institute has full accreditation with AusAID as a development non-government organisation.