Text by Angelou C. Mendoza

Photo by Martin R. Racza

Dr. Mulavana Parvathy and Prof. Kichu Nair of the School of Medicine and Public Health of the University of Newcastle, Australia answering questions from the attendees of the special lecture.

Last February 7, 2025, Dr. Mulavana Parvathy and Prof. Kichu Nair of the School of Medicine and Public Health of the University of Newcastle, Australia visited the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila to conduct a special lecture on “The Australian Perspective on Healthcare and Workforce,” The visit also considered the potential partnership between the two universities and aimed to provide participants to have a perspective on the management of both universities with the recruitment and assessment process of medical professionals while ensuring patient safety and healthcare services delivered across various regions of the country. 

Prof. Nair discussed “Demographic Transition vs. Healthcare Transition,” focusing on the gradual change of the population pyramid of different countries showing the slow decline in birth rate, longer life expectancy, and more aging population especially in developing countries. Prof. Nair cited the World Health Organization’s (WHO) analysis on how the ageing population influences societies, economy, healthcare, and medical practice. He also underscored the need to individualize treatment as people have different physiology and the need for reconstruction of the workforce to alleviate acute diseases. 

Dr. Parvathy deliberated on the “International Medical Graduates in Australia – Setting Them Up to Succeed,” the status and recruitment of international medical graduates (IMG) in the Australian health system primarily due to shortage of medical doctors, especially in rural areas. To assess the competency of the IMGs, Australia follows the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in alignment with the job vacancies. Moreover, IMGs who passed the examination and were designated to a position also underwent a workplace based assessment (WBA). 

The event was a collaborative effort of former Vice Chancellor Jose Florencio Jr Lapena, Office of International and Local Linkages Director Vivien Fe Fadrilan-Camacho, and the College of Medicine, with Dr. Jonathan Babsa-ay as the moderator. 

Awarding of certificates to lecturers, Dr. Mulavana Parvathy and Prof. Kichu Nair and moderator Dr. Jonathan Babsa-ay at The Australian Perspective on Healthcare and Workforce.