CAMO-Net colleagues gathered in Timor-Leste recently, bringing together researchers and leaders to share progress, deepen collaboration, and strengthen locally led work addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The visit brought CAMO-Net lead Professor Alison Holmes, Head of Operations Kerri Hill-Cawthorne, and Brazil hub co-lead Professor Anna Levin together with the Timor-Leste team, led by Professor Nelson Martins. The meetings connected colleagues across hubs to learn from each other’s work and shape the future of the network collectively.
Highlighting locally led work in Timor-Leste
Across several days in Dili, CAMO-Net colleagues met with key national partners and institutions, including the Ministériu da Saúde, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), Laboratory Nacional, Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), and INSP-TL. Discussions focused on strengthening research partnerships, public health collaboration, and capacity development to support antimicrobial optimisation in Timor-Leste.
The team’s strong national relationships and respected leadership create real opportunities to help shape Timor-Leste’s health and research landscape, making collaboration across CAMO-Net incredibly impactful.
The team also had internal sessions with the Menzies Timor-Leste team to explore the country’s current AMR landscape, achievements to date, and ongoing challenges faced in Timor-Leste. Conversations highlighted locally led initiatives such as the introduction of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for key antibiotics – an important step in supporting responsible antibiotic use and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship across the healthcare system.
Professor Nelson Martins said, “Welcoming colleagues to Timor-Leste creates an opportunity to share the progress we are making locally while strengthening connections across CAMO-Net. Our work here is shaped by collaboration – learning together, adapting together, and building solutions that reflect our context.”
Strengthening collaboration across hubs
The visit provided valuable space for cross-hub exchange, enabling colleagues from different regions to share insights, discuss common challenges, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Professor Alison Holmes said, “CAMO-Net is built on partnership and mutual learning. Spending time together in Timor-Leste helps us understand local priorities more deeply while reinforcing that the network is shaped by the expertise and leadership of every hub.”
Professor Anna Sara Levin added, “The incredible work being undertaken by this young country is truly inspiring. There is a strong sense of forward momentum, with emerging leaders bringing a refreshing outlook to building infrastructure and shaping the future.”
A shared commitment moving forward
The gathering highlighted the central role of Timor-Leste within CAMO-Net and demonstrated how collaboration across hubs supports sustainable progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance. By bringing colleagues together around locally led work, the visit reflected the network’s commitment to shared leadership, partnership, and collective learning.
