Background

Dr Chris Morgan is a physician working in international public health with special interests in health system strengthening, primary health care, international child health, maternal and newborn care, birth-dose vaccination against hepatitis B, and health-worker education and training.

Chris has worked at Burnet since 2001. Before that he worked in primary health care in Tibet, China (1997-2000), in community health and hospital paediatrics in Nepal (1993-7), having trained as a paediatrician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney (now Children’s Hospital Westmead) from 1984-1992. During that time he undertook additional work in indigenous child health, tropical paediatric specialisation, and developing a child health training program for primary care physicians.

Chris is also a doctoral research candidate with the University of Melbourne’s Department of Medicine, studying maternal and newborn health care services innovations through Burnet’s programs. Chris has coordinated the MPH subject Primary Health Care in Developing Countries from 2003–2013, and continues to support post-graduate education, including coordination of the Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene commencing in 2014.

Appointments

• 2019: Member, World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control
• 2019: Member, World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and Vaccine-preventable Diseases in the Western Pacific Region
• 2014: Principal Investigator, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Papua New Guinea
• 2014 – 2018: Chair of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Immunization Practices Advisory Committee.
• 2011 – 2012: Chair of AusAID’s China-Australia Health and HIV/AIDS Facility (CAHHF) Technical Reference Panel
• 2011 – 2014: Member of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Immunization Practices Advisory Committee
• 2010 – 2011: Pacific Product Coordinator, Health Policy and Health Finance Knowledge Hub, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne
• 2010 – 2013: Product leader - maternal and newborn care for Compass – the Women’s and Children’s Health Knowledge Hub, at Burnet Institute’s Centre for International Health.
• 2008 – 2010: Technical Director, Improving Newborn Care and Birth-dose Vaccination at the Aid-post Level in PNG
• 2007 – 2010 Technical Director, AusAID’s China Australia Health and HIV Facility
• 2004 – 2009: Technical Director, Project Responding to Measles and other Vaccine Preventable Diseases in PNG
• 2004 – 2009: Program Technical Director and then M&E Advisor on the AusAID Tibet Health Sector Support Program.
• 2003: Fellow in the School of Population Health of the University of Melbourne, Victoria Australia
• 2003: Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, Victoria, Australia
• 2001 – 2004: Child Health and Immunisation Advisor and assistant Project Director (M&E) on the AusAID Women’s and Children’s Health Project in Papua New Guinea
• 2001 – 2004: Consulted with WHO on various aspects of implementation of their Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program.

Positions

• 2017 – present: Co-head, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Working Group, Burnet Institute
• 2017 – present: Head of International Development, Burnet Institute
• 2001 – present: Principal Fellow, Centre of International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• 1997 – 2000: Team Leader, Tibet Primary Health Care and Water Supply Project, TAR, China
• 1993 – 1997: Paediatrician and Community Medical Officer, United Mission Hospital, Tansen, Nepal
• 1991 – 1992: Chief Resident/Assistant Chief Resident, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• 1985 – 1989: Paediatric Registrar/RMO, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, New South Wales, Australia
• 1983 – 1984: RMO/Intern, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia

Qualifications

• 1991: Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• 1990: Diploma in Tropical Child Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, United Kingdom
• 1983: MBBS, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Awards

• 2017: Burnet Institute, Frank Fenner Award
• 1990: Cicely Williams Medal for Tropical Paediatrics

Projects (13)

Current (7)

• Accelerating access to postnatal care and chlorhexidine in PNG
  Scaling-up implementation and education relating to the postnatal period and introducing chlorhexidine for use by families.
• Accelerating Immunisation and Health System Strengthening (AIHSS)
  Reducing vaccine preventable death and disease through boosting routine immunisation service delivery and outreach
• Collaborative Community Checklists for Immunisation (CCCI)
  Adapting the WHO Immunisation Checklist to increase the uptake of immunisation in Myanmar.
• Evaluating a highly sensitive rapid malaria diagnostic in PNG
  HS-RDT MiP in PNG: Testing performance of a novel high sensitivity rapid diagnostic malaria test in pregnant women.
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
  A collaborative research program aimed at providing life-saving health care for women and children in PNG.
• HHISP: Strengthening Papua New Guinea health systems
  Burnet is a partner in the Health and HIV Implementation Services Provider (HHISP).
• HMHB - Health Services for Postnatal and Infancy Care
  Focuses on services during postnatal period and through the first 12 months in East New Britain, PNG.

Past (6)

• China-Australia Health and HIV/AIDS Facility (2007-2012)
  A partnership between the governments of Australia and the People’s Republic of China.
• Compass: Women's and Children's Health Knowledge Hub
  To increase the effectiveness of aid for women’s and children’s health in Asia and the Pacific
• Document the Lessons Learnt from the Joint Initiative on Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (JIMNCH), Ayerwady Region, Myanmar. 2013
  The Joint Initiative for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health was a collaborative programme aiming to increase access to maternal and child health services in areas most affected by Cyclone Nargis
• Evaluation of the Joint Initiative for Maternal Newborn and Child Health in Myanmar
  Burnet led the evaluation of this United Nations program for maternal newborn and child health.
• Preventing hepatitis B starts at birth – best practices and needs
  This project researched international evidence in birth-dose vaccination against hepatitis B, resulting in a WHO good practice guide, a global consultation and linked advocacy events.
• Tibet Health Capacity Building Program (Tibet Health)
  Technical support to improve management and clinical capacity within Tibet's health system.

Publications (42)

2020 (1)

• Strengthening routine immunization in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional provincial assessment of front-line services.
  Morgan CJ, Saweri OPM, Larme N, Peach E, Melepia P, Au L, Scoullar MJL, Reza MS, Vallely LM, McPake BI, Beeson JG
  BMC Public Health. 2020 Jan; 20(1):100

2019 (4)

• Health outcomes of iron supplementation and/or food fortification in iron-replete children aged 4-24 months: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
  Hare DJ, Braat S, Cardoso BR, Morgan C, Szymlek-Gay EA, Biggs BA
  Syst Rev. 2019 Nov; 8(1):253
• Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections to improve birth outcomes in high-burden, low-income settings: Study protocol for a cluster randomized crossover trial (the WANTAIM Trial, Papua New Guinea)
  Vallely AJ, William S. Pomat WS, Homer C, Guy R, Luchters S, Mola GDL, Kariwiga G, Vallely LM, Wiseman V, Morgan C, Wand H, Rogerson SJ, Tabrizi SN, Whiley DM, Low N, Peeling R, Siba P, Riddell M, Laman M, Bolnga J, Robinson LJ, Morewaya J, Badman SG, Batura N, Kelly-Hanku A, Toliman PJ, Peter W, Babona D, Peach E, Garland SM, Kaldor JM
  Well Open Res. 2019 May; 4:53
• Barriers to cervical cancer screening among rural women in eastern China: a qualitative study.
  Yang H, Li SP, Chen Q, Morgan C
  BMJ Open. 2019 Mar; 9(3):e026413
• Collaborative community checklists for immunisation: a feasibility and acceptability study in rural Myanmar
  Morgan C, Davis J, Lin HH, Thar AMC, Ko AK, Luchters S, La T, Kyaw HK, , Myint AA, Win DT, Ko WEP
  International Initiative for Impact Evaluation. 2019 Feb; Formative Evaluation Report

2018 (2)

• Multiple morbidities in pregnancy: Time for research, innovation, and action.
  Beeson JG, Homer CSE, Morgan C, Menendez C
  PLoS Med. 2018 Sep; 15(9):e1002665
• Cost-effectiveness of the controlled temperature chain for the hepatitis B virus birth dose vaccine in various global settings: a modelling study.
  Scott N, Palmer A, Morgan C, Lesi O, Spearman CW, Sonderup M, Hellard M
  Lancet Glob Health. 2018 Jun; 6(6):e659-e667

2017 (2)

• Vaccine vial monitor availability and use in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.
  Eriksson P, Gessner BD, Jaillard P, Morgan C, Le Gargasson JB
  Vaccine. 2017 Apr; 35(17):2155-2161
• The cause-specific morbidity and mortality, and referral patterns of all neonates admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in the northern provinces of Vietnam over a one year period.
  Miles M, Dung KT, Ha LT, Liem NT, Ha K, Hunt RW, Mulholland K, Morgan C, Russell FM
  PLoS One. 2017 Mar; 12(3):e0173407

2016 (2)

• A novel point-of-care testing strategy for sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in high-burden settings: results of a feasibility study in Papua New Guinea.
  Badman SG, Vallely LM, Toliman P, Kariwiga G, Lote B, Pomat W, Holmer C, Guy R, Luchters S, Morgan C, Garland SM, Tabrizi S, Whiley D, Rogerson SJ, Mola G, Wand H, Donovan B, Causer L, Kaldor J, Vallely A
  BMC Infect Dis. 2016 Jun; 16(1):250
• Feasibility and acceptability of clean birth kits containing misoprostol for self-administration to prevent postpartum hemorrhage in rural Papua New Guinea.
  Vallely LM, Homiehombo P, Walep E, Moses M, Tom M, Kelly-Hanku A, Vallely A, Nataraye E, Ninnes C, Mola GD, Morgan C, Kaldor JM, Wand H, Whittaker A, Homer CS
  Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2016 Feb; 133(3):301-306

2015 (1)

• Correlates of male involvement in maternal and newborn health: a cross-sectional study of men in a peri-urban region of Myanmar.
  Ampt F, Mon MM, Than KK, Khin MM, Agius PA, Morgan C, Davis J, Luchters S
  BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015 May; 15(1):122

2014 (1)

• The Papua New Guinea national health and HIV research agenda.
  Viergever R, Kitur U, Chan G, Airi, J. Kaleva W. Sikosana P, N’Dreland G, Morgan C
  Lancet Glob Health. 2014 Feb; 2(2):e74-e75

2013 (4)

• The effects, safety and acceptability of compact, pre-filled, autodisable injection devices when delivered by lay health workers.
  Glenton C, Khanna R, Morgan C, Nilsen ES
  Trop Med Int Health. 2013 Aug; 18(8):1002-1016
• Causes of puerperal and neonatal sepsis in resource-constrained settings and advocacy for an integrated community-based postnatal approach.
  Miller AE, Morgan C, Vyankandondera J
  Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2013 Jul; 123(1):10-15
• Community actions and community-health systems linkages for improved maternal and newborn health: a synthesis of the evidence.
  Davis J, Durrant K, Morgan C
  Report for Compass: Women’s and Children’s Health Knowledge Hub. 2013 Jul
• How does progress towards the MDG 4 affect inequalities between different subpopulations? Evidence from Nepal.
  Nguyen KH, Jimenez-Soto E, Morgan A, Morgan C, Hodge A
  J Epidemiol Community Health. 2013 Apr; 67(4):311-319

2012 (4)

• Sustainable Health Financing in the Pacific: Tracking Dependency and Transparency
  Joel Negin, Wayne Irava, David Leon, Clement Malau, Chris Morgan
  Health Policy and Health Finance Knowledge Hub: Working Paper 22. 2012 Nov
• Rubella control in Papua New Guinea: Age-specific immunity informs strategies for introduction of rubella vaccine.
  Riddell M, Senn N, Clements CJ, Hobday L, Cowie B, Kurubi J, Kevin A, Siba P, Reeder JC, Morgan C
  Vaccine. 2012 Oct; 30(52):7506-7512
• Building health systems capacity in global health graduate programs: reflections from Australian educators.
  Negin J, Martiniuk A, Morgan C, Davies P, Zwi A
  BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2012 Aug; 12(1):14
• Regional Health Meetings in the Pacific and their Impact on Health Governance
  Negin J, Morgan C, Condon R
  Global Health Governance. 2012 Jan; V(2)

2011 (6)

• Strengthening church and government partnerships for primary health care delivery in Papua New Guinea: Lessons from the international experience
  Judith Ascroft, Rohan Sweeney, Margareth Samei, Irene Semos, Chris Morgan
  Health Policy and Health Finance Knowledge Hub: Working Paper 16. 2011 Dec
• Improving maternal, newborn and child health in Papua New Guinea through Family and Community Health Care
  Abbey Byrne, Chris Morgan
• The contribution of church health services to maternal health care provision in Papua New Guinea.
  Mapira P, Morgan C
  P N G Med J. 2011 Sep; 54(3-4):139-146
• Formal and informal maternal health care: comparing the service provision of health facilities and village health volunteers in East Sepik Province.
  O'Keefe D, Davis J, Yakuna G, Van Gemert C, Morgan C
  P N G Med J. 2011 Sep; 54(3-4):147-153
• Community-based care at childbirth - can it safely extend coverage in high mortality settings? Case studies in PNG, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Lao PDR
  Chris Morgan, Pilly Mapira, Chris Hagarty, Jenny Kerrison, Louise Sampson, Anna Bauze
  Briefing Paper. 2011 Jun
• Melbourne Statement on Prevention of Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus
  Endorsed by participants in the WHO Consultation on Best Practices and Tools for Preventing Perinatal Hepatitis B Virus Transmission

2010 (3)

• Are hard-to-reach populations being reached with immunization services? Findings from the 2005 Papua New Guinea national immunization coverage survey.
  Toikilik S, Tuges G, Lagani J, Wafiware E, Posanai E, Coghlan B, Morgan C, Sweeney R, Miller N, Abramov A, Stewart A, Clements CJ
  Vaccine. 2010 Jun; 28(29):4673-4679
• Community-based care at birth – what role can it play in maternal and newborn survival in high mortality settings? Working Paper
  Dr Chris Morgan
• Measles in Papua New Guinea: an age-specific serological survey.
  Senn N, Riddell M, Omena M, Siba P, Reeder JC, Clements CJ, Morgan C
  Vaccine. 2010 Feb; 28(7):1819-1823

2009 (2)

• Primary Child Care: A Manual for Health Workers. (Co-contributer to chapters 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 on case management and counselling)
  Morgan C
  WHO Publication. 2009 Jul; Second Edition
• Better use of public health campaigns for child survival: impact, processes, costs and future opportunities of the unique Supplementary Immunization Activity carried out in Papua New Guinea 2003 – 2005
  Dr. Chris Morgan, Ms Rachael Hinton, Ms Grace Pongua, Mr Herick Aeno, Ms Alma Auwun, Dr C John Clements, Mr Rohan Sweeney, Dr John Reeder, Dr Trevor Duke
  Grant application and technical report for the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative, December 2005 to March 2007. 2009 Jan

2008 (1)

• Enhancing Pregnancy Outcomes: A joint program of UNICEF PNG and the PNG National Department of Health, implemented by the PNG National Institute of Medical Research
  Chris Morgan

2007 (3)

• Reviewing The Evidence For Primary Health Care Effectiveness – Critical To Improving Health Systems And Community Health. (Book Chapter)
  Morgan C, Kermode M
  Measuring Effectiveness in Humanitarian and Development Aid, Editor: Andree Renzaho. Nova Science Publishers Inc, New York.. 2007 Jul; Chapter 8
• "Care for Development" intervention in rural China: a prospective follow-up study.
  Jin X, Sun Y, Jiang F, Ma J, Morgan C, Shen X
  J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007 Jun; 28(3):213-218
• A vaccine cold chain freezing study in PNG highlights technology needs for hot climate countries.
  Wirkas T, Toikilik S, Miller N, Morgan C, Clements CJ
  Vaccine. 2007 Jan; 25(4):691-697

2006 (2)

• A qualitative evaluation of the immunization program in Papua New Guinea
  Clements CJ, Morgan C, Posanai E, Polume H, Sakamoto C
  PNG Med J. 2006 Mar; 49(1-2):5-13
• Hepatitis E virus infection as a marker for contaminated community drinking water sources in Tibetan villages.
  Toole MJ, Claridge F, Anderson DA, Zhuang H, Morgan C, Otto B, Stewart T
  Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Feb; 74(2):250-254

2005 (1)

• The back happy tap-stand.
  Hoy D, Beyer H, Morgan C, Toole M
  J Water Supp Res Technol. 2005 Jun; 54(4):261-263

2004 (1)

• Alarming levels of hepatitis B virus detected among rural Tibetans.
  Clift A, Morgan C, Anderson D, Toole M
  Trop Doct. 2004 Jul; 34(3):156-157

2003 (2)

• Low back pain in rural Tibet.
  Hoy D, Toole MJ, Morgan D, Morgan C
  Lancet. 2003 Jan; 361(9353):225-226
• An evolving model for training and education in resource-poor settings: teaching health workers to fish.
  Morgan CJ, Deutschmann PW
  Med J Aust. 2003 Jan; 178(1):21-25

News Articles (32)

2020 (1)

• New plan for PNG immunisation

2019 (1)

• New collaboration targets newborn sepsis

2018 (6)

• Cosmos' insights into stunting
• Major milestone for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
• Solutions for maternal mortality
• Bumper turnout for Student Night
• Baby Tessie lost her mum post-childbirth
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: On the road with Kerryanne Tokmun

2017 (2)

• Fenner Award for international public health trailblazer
• Deadly sepsis: Insights from Dr Michelle Scoullar

2016 (5)

• IMPACT: latest edition now out!
• This Mother's Day spare a thought for mums in PNG
• From heartbreak to hope: A personal insight from Kokopo
• HMHB attracts Principal Supporter
• Burnet hosts Vietnam MoH delegation

2015 (7)

• MRDC supporting HMHB program
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies lab officially opened in Kokopo
• Historic launch of HMHB program in Kokopo
• This Mother's Day spare a thought for mums and their babies in PNG
• Help us fit out Kokopo lab
• World Health Day Focus - Collaborative Research
• Dame Carol Kidu Patron for HMHB

2014 (2)

• IMPACT: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies special edition!
• Immunisation infrastructure almost at breaking point

2013 (1)

• Women Deliver conference - Burnet's perspective

2012 (3)

• CAHHF achievements praised
• WHO recommendations to optimise health worker roles
• Why we need to support our neighbours in hep B prevention

2011 (4)

• Simple measures could dramatically reduce child deaths in PNG
• World leading maternal and child health expert visits Burnet
• Australian and Chinese Health Minister lay out priorities for collaboration
• Australian institutions centre stage in fight to control hepatitis B