Published 4 July 2025

Expanding Burnet presence to Vanuatu

Burnet Institute has officially opened a new office in Vanuatu.

As part of our commitment to strengthening health outcomes across the wider Pacific region, Burnet Institute has officially opened a new office in Vanuatu.

Over the past several years, we’ve been working to address critical health priorities in the Pacific by fostering strong, local partnerships.

This work has now led to the establishment of a dedicated team in the capital, Port Vila, who are collaborating closely with the Vanuatu Government and regional partners to deliver vital expertise, data collection, and technical support.

Leading our Vanuatu presence is Kali Ameara, Burnet Vanuatu country representative.

Mr Ameara brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the medical and public health sectors, both internationally and within his home country of Vanuatu.

“Burnet’s Vanuatu country office is locally led — not just in name, but in practice,” he said.

“Our work will be driven by health needs and local priorities and designed to build local research capacity that lasts beyond any single project or program.”

Mr Ameara and the country team will be working closely with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to develop the nation’s health research agenda.

“The journey is not just about research or programs, important as they are,” he said.

“It's about building a culture, based on shared values and beliefs of improving health for all.”

Burnet-supported projects in Vanuatu focus on pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance systems; triple elimination of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis; immunisation; and antimicrobial resistance under the One Health framework.

Mr Ameara will be supporting existing projects and identify further areas for opportunity and progress.

“What Burnet has learned across our country offices in Myanmar and Papua New Guinea is that when communities drive their own health solutions, the impact is transformational,” he said.

“When research is locally led, it translates into real-world solutions that work.”

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