Closing the Healthcare Gap for the Indigenous People of India Fellowship

Australia Awards Fellows Presentations and Networking Event

Monday 7 July 2025
1:30pm – 4:30 pm, SAHMRI Auditorium

ABOUT
JBI at The University of Adelaide, in partnership with the Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust (MANT) and the Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR) in India, is delivering the Health Workforce Development in Evidence Implementation Fellowship under the Australia Awards program. This initiative is designed to build the capacity of mid-career health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to implement culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions that address the unique health needs of India’s Indigenous communities. Fellows have undertaken intensive training in evidence implementation, project leadership, and change management to design and deliver sustainable solutions aligned with India’s national health priorities and Universal Health Coverage goals.

This event will showcase the results of the Fellows’ year-long implementation projects, which span priority areas such as maternal and child health, mental health, nutrition, and primary care access for Indigenous populations. The presentations will highlight the practical impact of translating evidence into action, the importance of equity and intersectionality in health interventions, and the critical role of Indigenous-led approaches to healthcare reform. Esteemed local panellists will also join us to discuss Australia and India’s shared commitment to inclusive health development and enduring bilateral collaboration.

MEET THE FELLOWS

Dr Paramita Bhattacharya

Dr Nirmalya Mukherjee

Ms Pritha Das

MEET THE PANEL

JBI's own A/Prof Craig Lockwood will moderate the Q&A session between our Fellows and panel Guests:

Prof Janet Kelly

A/Prof Megan Moskos

Dr Brett Ritchie

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Mid-career health professionals and public health practitioners

Researchers, academics, students and policymakers
Advocates for Indigenous health and culturally responsive care

Those interested in global health, equity, and international collaboration

Registrations close Thursday 3 July 2025 at 11:59pm

We cordially invite you to participate in this presentation series and networking afternoon tea.

Please see below for the program outline:

Session	Time
Registration – Tea & coffee available on arrival	1:00pm
Welcome to Country	1:30pm
Introduction to Australia Awards Fellowship	1:40pm
*Antenatal Care in Indigenous Communities in Jalpaiguri and Haora: A Best Practice Implementation Project* Dr Paramita Bhattacharya	1:50pm
*Childhood Diarrhoeal diseases and their treatment guidelines in the Mobile Medical Clinics in North Bengal, India: An Evidence Implementation Initiative* Dr Nirmalya Mukherjee	2:10pm
*Optimizing Screening for Type 2 Diabetes in Mobile Medical Clinics: Assessing Standard Guidelines in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal* Ms Pritha Das	2:30pm
Networking Afternoon Tea	2:50pm
Panel Q&A Discussion with Fellows Moderator: A/Prof Craig Lockwood Panel Guests: Prof Janet Kelly A/Prof Megan Moskos Dr Brett Ritchie	3:30pm
Closing Remarks	4:25pm

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PANEL HERE!

Professor Janet Kelly

Prof Kelly is a nurse researcher who works collaboratively with Aboriginal and First Nations community members and health and research professionals in urban, rural and remote areas. She has co-designed patient journey and health journey mapping tools that identify gaps in care and responsive strategies to improve health care experiences and outcomes. Janet also co-leads the AKction- Aboriginal Kidney Care Together – Improving Outcomes Now project, which has strong Indigenous and community governance, and actively involves and responds to the priorities of Aboriginal people with lived experience of kidney disease, and the health professionals and support services that support them.

Associate Professor Megan Moskos

Prof Moskos is currently Associate Dean Indigenous Engagement for the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics at the University of Adelaide. Megan is a nationally recognised leader in research involving Indigenous communities, highly regarded in this field by Indigenous leaders and communities and among academic peers. She is a recognised expert in conducting culturally sensitive and respectful research with Aboriginal communities and people. Her research pursues, promotes and supports interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborative research to improve outcomes through innovative responses to complex social problems. Moskos is passionate about pursuing meaningful engagement with stakeholders and participants and in developing constructive and respectful research relationships. Her research within this space is guided by principles of integrity and respect, and a strong commitment to ensuring that the voices of Indigenous people are heard.

Dr Brett Richie

Dr Ritchie is a paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist at the Women’s and Children’s hospital in Adelaide. His clinical interest include HIV and congenital cytomegalovirus. He has worked in the NT on childhood diarrhoeal disease in First Nations people. As chair of the Flinders Overseas Health Group aid organisation, he has delivered clinical education in low resources settings across Indonesia. More recently his research activities have switched to evidence synthesis and implementation of antibiotic monitoring and dosing for medical specialists in tertiary hospitals.

We look forward to seeing you at this very special event.