The University of Sydney has today marked the formalisation of its relationship with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, recognising the success of a landmark cervical cancer elimination program and committing to ongoing support for women’s health in Timor-Leste.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO, and His Excellency José dos Reis Magno, Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health in the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, was exchanged in a formal celebration in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

It underpins the delivery of the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) program in Timor-Leste, where the program has been supporting rollout of Human papillomavirus (HPV) screen-and-treat services since 2025.

Professor Scott said the program’s success to date reflects the power of research when combined with government leadership.

“Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death in women in many Indo-Pacific countries. Thanks to research co-led by the Cancer Elimination Collaboration team at the University of Sydney, there is now an evidence-based global strategy for its elimination,” said Professor Scott. “With the generous support of our funders in the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation, and the leadership of in-country partners such as the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, we’re working together to translate the research into outcomes.”

“The University is committed to tackling the world’s greatest challenges for the common good as a central tenant of our Sydney in 2032 strategy – it’s an honour to work with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health to make this a reality.”

Dr Elizabeth Leto Mau, Director General of Primary Health Care in the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health said: “Today marks an important milestone in Timor-Leste’s journey toward the elimination of cervical cancer. For a young nation like Timor-Leste, partnerships of this nature are transformative. They allow us to strengthen national systems, and apply world-class evidence and innovation in ways that are adapted to our local context.”   

Dr Nevio Sarmento, President of the Timor-Leste National Institute of Public Health, added: "As we say in Timor-Leste: Feto forte, familia forte e nasaun forte – Strong women, strong family and strong nation."

EPICC achievements

EPICC is a four-year initiative generously supported by the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation, operating in nine countries across the Indo-Pacific region.

In Timor-Leste, EPICC has:

• supported services that have screened more than 1000 women for HPV and cervical cancer in clinics and at community health outreach events across Dili;
• performed over 100 thermal ablations to prevent cervical cancer
• trained healthcare workers locally and supported five Timorese health professionals to undertake an EPICC cervical cancer training program in Australia, through the Australia Awards Fellowship scheme;
• initiated upgrades of histopathology laboratory services and a clinic for advanced cases at Guido Valadares National Hospital in Dili.

It was established to accelerate progress towards the elimination of cervical cancer, in alignment with the World Health Organization’s global elimination strategy. The WHO strategy is underpinned by modelling studies co-led by Professor Karen Canfell AC, Program Lead for EPICC and head of the Cancer Elimination Collaboration in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

EPICC’s work in Timor-Leste is led by Professor Deborah Bateson AM and supported by EPICC consortium members, including Family Planning Australia, the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and Unitaid.

Image credit: University of Sydney / Fiona Wolf