About the Institute
The Nossal Institute for Global Health is committed to improving global health through research, education, inclusive development practice, and training of future leaders.The Nossal Institute works in partnership with other organisations who share its vision of improving health where health is at its poorest.
Named in honour of Sir Gustav Nossal and his commitment to translating medical research into health for all, the Nossal Institute utilises the multi-disciplinary research and educational capabilities provided by the University of Melbourne and, in collaboration with strategic partners, builds and exchanges knowledge and expertise to improve health in areas where it is most needed.
The Nossal Institute is a not-for-profit organisation whose approach is based on the principles of social equity and the capacity development of local partners. Its work is organised through the following units:
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- Health Systems Strengthening
- Education and Learning
- Tropical Health and Infectious Diseases
- Inclusive Development Practice
Based in Australia, the Nossal Institute takes a global perspective and advocates for the poorest on matters relating to public health. The Institute strongly endorses the global responsibility to work together to reach the Millennium Development Goals.
Established in 2006 (and inclusive of the work and activities of the Nossal Institute Ltd which was incorporated in 1998), the Nossal Institute focuses its global health activity on priority areas within the Asia Pacific region and Southern Africa, working mainly in India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Mozambique. Most of the Institute's staff have lived and worked in developing country settings and bring a personal understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist in these countries.
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The Institute's major areas of work include developing and implementing public health or biomedical responses to major challenges such as HIV and AIDS, malaria, tobacco use, mental health, maternal and child health, disability and harm reduction.
Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
The Nossal Institute's ongoing focus is to undertake research for evidence-based development and leadership training.
The Institute's ability to contribute significantly to improvements in global health lies in the convening power it has as an Institute of Melbourne University, recognising key collaborators as critical members of the wider team. Nossal Institute partnerships bring together a host of experts and organisations from a variety of disciplines who collaborate on research and apply new knowledge in development practice.
Responding to Priority Issues in Global Health
There is increasing recognition that weak health systems are hindering progress to Millennium Development Goals, particularly in meeting the needs of women and their babies at the time of delivery. Of the 500,000 women who die as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, 99% live in resource poor settings, where communities lack knowledge or resources to bridge the gap between what is known and what is achieved. Many of the interventions that can prevent complications are well known, yet some sixty million women deliver each year without any skilled assistance. There have been significant gains in child survival, but improving newborn survival has had limited success.
The Nossal Institute's focus is on improving the systems that support timely recognition of the need to seek care, timely access to health services and timely and appropriate treatment once a mother or child reaches care. Staff across all units are working in a range of programs, including the evaluation of national Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs, health workforce development, MCH health financing research and community based interventions.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships are fundamental to the work of the Nossal Institute. Development of established programs and fostering of new opportunities will continue as a priority. Collaborations with governments, academic institutions (Public Health Foundation of India, Eduardo Mondlane University, Gadjah Mada University), philanthropic organisations (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Non-Government Organisations such as CBM Australia, Australian Red Cross, or the Emmanuel Hospital Association, and collaborative research funded by NHMRC, AusAID and other agencies are essential for the Institute's ongoing work.