Two Timorese paediatric registrars who have worked in the Paediatric Department at Royal Darwin Hospital for the last six months will complete their rotations shortly to return to Timor-Leste. 

Dr Rosye Da Silva returns to Dili on Saturday and Dr Carla Madeira will leave early next month to continue working in the National Hospital of Timor-Leste (Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares). 

The opportunity for Dr Da Silva and Dr Madeira to gain experience and undertake training in Darwin was the result of collaboration between RDH, HNGV and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, made possible by an Australian Awards Fellowship grant.

Specialist Infectious Diseases Paediatrician Dr Josh Francis said the experience at Royal Darwin Hospital had been very positive, providing good opportunities for both the young doctors.

“They have learned a lot and will contribute significantly on their return to Dili.

“Dr Da Silva and Dr Madeira have also been exposed to learning and professional development opportunities outside of the hospital setting, with participation in courses and conferences relevant to paediatric infections, tuberculosis, rheumatic heart disease, and advanced paediatric life support – all with direct applicability to their ongoing work in child health in Timor-Leste,” Dr Francis said.

More than half of Timor-Leste’s population are children, and the burden of diseases like tuberculosis, rheumatic heart disease and malnutrition is very great. In the Northern Territory, the spectrum of illness in children is different, but there are some striking similarities. Rheumatic heart disease remains very prevalent in Northern Territory children, and both Dr Da Silva and Dr Madeira have developed an increased appreciation of the importance of the disease both here and in their home country, acquiring skills and knowledge in the diagnosis, management and prevention of acute rheumatic fever.

Timor-Leste has had a large influx of junior doctors, but the need for effective postgraduate training also grows. Opportunities such as those provided by RDH with the help of the Australia Awards Fellowship program, complement the excellent work being done by HNGV and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, who are establishing postgraduate training programs in Timor-Leste. Ongoing collaboration between the Paediatric Departments of RDH and HNGV is planned, with the intention of facilitating further exchanges, that stand to benefit the health systems in both the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste.

Media contact: Michelle Foster 0459 166 801