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PETER SIBA has joined the Centre for Health Research and Diagnostics (CfHRD) as its new Director. He was the former Professorial Research Fellow in Health Research, and Director of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research with over 32 years of in-depth experience as a researcher, academic, manager, editor and mentor. He has authored and co-authored over 300 publications.
He was also an Adjunct Professor in Health Research at the School of Medicine & Health Science, University of Papua New Guinea and an Adjunct Professor in Microbiology, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Australia. Prior to his appointment at the CfHRD, he was working as a consultant with the PNG Secretariat of Science, Research and Technology. He received his PhD in Microbiology & Biochemistry at School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University in Australia, and is a trained virologist.
His specific area of interest is in biomedical and health research, publishing, and capacity building.
The CfHRD is located at the Modilon Campus in Madang, and it was established to provide the leadership in performing biomedical and health research, and facilitate laboratory training and mentoring for undergraduate and postgraduate students within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. There is also a clinical pathology diagnostic service.
The CfHRD has two 30-seat teaching laboratories equipped with microscopes. Other laboratories also located at the Centre include an environmental health laboratory, a Biochemistry laboratory, a microbiology laboratory, a culture laboratory, microscopy laboratory and an infectious laboratory equipped with a Class 2 Biosafety Cabinet.
Peter Siba
Director Centre for Health Research and Diagnostics
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Key Research Areas
The key research areas to develop research at the Centre are:
KRA 1: Clinical
Clinical research aimed at diagnosing, treating and controlling diseases (malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, TB, HIV/AIDS, emerging and re-emerging diseases) to improve the health and lifestyle of our people. Research activities may include clinical trials involving new drugs, and clinical diagnostic products.
KRA 2: Health Systems
Operational health research into improving the deliverance of an efficient and effective health delivery service.
KRA 3: Demography and Population Health
Applied inter disciplinary research at community-levels to assess the impact of public health interventions, and the effect of environment on the health and well-being of the people.
KRA 4: Biomedical Sciences
Basic science research to fully understand, prevent and treat the disease. Research may include basic, pre-clinical or clinical, and it is normally undertaken by large research institutions. The CfHRD can collaborate with large institutions to undertake such research activities.
Training & Diagnosis Services
Training and Learning
Technical staff at the Center provide support to student practical sessions by providing required laboratory resources, practical set-ups and facilitating teaching and learning to assist lecturers of certain departments within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technician training course that is offered by the Center course has been dormant since 2016. There are plans to reintroduce the course due to the demand from the health service providers in the rural communities.
Diagnostic Services
The original objective of the Diagnostic Division was to assist the pathological services at Modilon hospital, and provide diagnostic services for staff and student attending the Alexandro Clinic. The Division has since ventured into providing clinical diagnostic services for the public in Madang, with the aim of generating revenues for the Center and the University.
Tests done include parasitology, hematology, bacteriology, biochemistry, (liver function tests, renal function, lipid profile, cardiac enzymes, electrolytes and pancreatic function)
Research Activities
Present research activities are focused on KRA 4- Biomedical Research. The research projects are conducted by the Center’s staff and include:
- A retrospective study of blood samples with microcytic anemia in patients from Madang clinics recorded in CfHRD diagnostic lab.
- Report on the prevalence of patients with STDS (Chlamydia and Neisseria) in Madang recorded in CfHRD diagnostic lab over the last 7 years.
- Report on the prevalence of malaria infections in Madang recorded in CfHRD diagnostic lab over the last 7 years.
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