Flinders overseas health group team leader report. Oncology Palliative care. Dermatology
April 2026.
Team leader: Dr Gillian Marshman
This trip was primarily initiated as a response to the request by the steering committee for the Indonesian national Cancer conference: COLBANO, held in Kupang, NTT. for expert speaker support.
Professor Chris KARAPETIS- Oncology
Dr Tim TO-Palliative care
Ms. Kate VIALLS -Community Pall care nursing were invited speakers for the above conference.
The opportunity was taken to include teaching at several institutions, hospital clinical case-based discussions, service provision progress and reviews including pharmacy, and visits to community cancer sufferers’ hostels prior to the conference.
We were also invited attendees/speakers at the pre- conference meeting looking at screening and early detection of cancer in Indonesia. Important introductions to senior colleagues Maria in Palliative care and Oncology, Dr Cosphiady Irawan, allowed the development of plans for collaborations, mentoring and cooperation.
A visit to the centrally funded, extremely well-resourced Ben Mboi hospital was undertaken and progress of the new radiation oncology building was demonstrated. We met the radiation Oncologists, Dr Ferdi, and Dr Donald who are very positively disposed to collaboration in the future, as are senior clinicians and management.
The national Colbano Cancer conference afforded the opportunity to establish links with senior clinicians in the pathology, palliative care and cancer spaces from some of the Indonesian national bodies of these specialties. Ministry of health officials also were involved in the program.
FOHG team members had a high profile throughout the pre-conference meeting and in the body of the conference itself as well as the social events associated with Colbano.
Whilst in Kupang, dermatology case presentations also occurred, presentation on malignant wound management (with thanks to Margie Moncrieff, Wound management nurse practitioner (SALHN, Adelaide) with teaching of medical students, teaching nursing students at the Polytech and support and mentoring of the dermatology and pathology staff at Professor Johannes Hospital.
A meeting with the dean of the Medical and Vet school, Dr Christina Lada, was productive and raised options for collaboration, particularly in the area of curriculum development, around pain management and cooperation with the clinical services being developed for palliative care in Kupang.
During this visit the positive light in which FOHG is seen by our healthcare colleagues and the wider administrative community, both within the hospital sector and by the provincial governor and his wife (patron of the cancer foundation in NTT) was particularly apparent. The formal and official acknowledgement and appreciation, expressed in a number of forums, for FOHG’S long-term partnerships and support in NTT were gratifying. The warmth of our reception was very sincere.
Institutions where invited teaching/discussions occurred were as follows:
Professor Johannes hospital.
Ben Mboi hospital
Universitas Citra Bangsa
Polytech Kupang
Community visit to Cancer patients’ hostel
Social activities included:
Team participation in the Walk for Cancer
and invited guests at the Gala Dinner and Charity auction for Cancer .
A number of collegiate informal dinners.
My thanks to the dedicated Australian team members, to Nus our liaison agent, and to the numerous Indonesian colleagues who hosted us. Overall, a very productive and effective trip.
Gillian Marshman BMBS FACD May 2026.
Short Report: Visit to Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia – April 16-19, 2026
Flinders Overseas Health Group – Oncology Report
The visit was an important opportunity to strengthen relationships that have been developed over more than 10 years with the oncology team at Johannes Hospital in Kupang.
The FOHG team was invited to special meeting held at the Ben Mboi Hospital involving senior Indonesian central and local government health officials. Discussions focused on the Indonesian Cancer Plan, with open and frank dialogue regarding the challenge of late-stage presentation of cancer, the importance of screening programs, and the need for stronger engagement with local primary healthcare services (the “Puskasmas” clinics).
It was informative to listen to presentations that addressed data regarding cancer incidence in Indonesia and staging at diagnosis. There is a high burden of cancers affecting women, particularly breast and cervical cancer, which are the two most common cancers in Indonesia. Other significant cancers include lung and bowel cancer. Although national screening programs are endorsed, participation rates remain low due to multiple factors including health literacy, education, access to healthcare, and ongoing reliance on traditional medicine.
A particularly encouraging development was the progress at Ben Mboi Hospital in establishing radiation oncology services. I had the opportunity to inspect the new bunker facility where a linear accelerator will be installed. The fit-out appears modern and impressive, and this has the potential to significantly improve cancer services in the region
I was invited to speak at a well-organised and well-attended conference, the COLBANO Cancer Conference. I gave a presentation on the topic of management of advanced colorectal cancer. The presentation was well received, with strong audience engagement, and provided a valuable opportunity for education in a formal academic setting.
During the trip I met with Dr Jane Francesca to discuss case management and clinical issues. This was a constructive exchange and an important learning opportunity A major issue addressed during the visit was the limited access to newer cancer therapies, particularly immunotherapy. These treatments remain largely unavailable due to the lack of government funding, making access extremely difficult for patients. We discussed avenues to seek funding though philanthropy and through compassionate access arrangements with the pharmaceutical industry, for selected situations.
Overall, the trip was highly worthwhile. Relationships were renewed and strengthened, cancer services continue to improve, and there is strong potential for further collaboration in planning future oncology services across Kupang and the wider West Timor region.
Prof Chris Karapetis
Medical Oncologist
FOHG
Palliative Care trip to Kupang by FOHG April 2026
This was our third visit to Kupang, with timing to coincide with the regional oncology in Kupang conference Colbano 2026.
We had fruitful discussion with the Johannes hospital pharmacy team. Areas discussed included:
-Key medicines for palliative care
-Hospital and community access to medicines
-Inpatient prescribing including PRN for breakthrough and incident pain
-Subcutaneous administration of medications.
We gave an invited lecture at UCB to nursing students on Introduction to Palliative Care, symptom assessment and management, and communication. UCB are introducing a medical course later this year, taking on 50 medical students.
We attended the forum at Ben Mboi hospital on Prevention and early intervention of cancer. This included national and district health representatives, and community.
We had the opportunity to visit a hostel for patients coming to Kupang from the regions to have treatment at Johannes hospital. It was rudimentary and crowded with 10 patients and their support, but a very important resource to help patients and their families be able to attend medical appointments and receive treatment. It also supports a number of deaths on-site, supported by the on-site manager XXX, Adriana in her primary care nursing role, and Kevin in his medical role. Currently the hostel is supported by the First Lady (of the Governor) but requires ongoing financial support. Basics such as adequate bedding was incomplete, and there remains ongoing challenges about basic such as food and dressings.
We delivered lectures on palliative care at the Colbano 2026 conference, combined with a hands-on experience of subcutaneous fluid administration. The conference also gave opportunity to meet with interested doctors from the region, including Dr Maria Witjaksono, one of the pioneers and leaders of palliative care in Indonesia based in Jakarta. Discussions including the growing of the specialty of palliative care in Indonesia and support offered.
We had the pleasure of attending an early morning ‘fun-walk’ raising awareness for cancer. It was estimated to have over 1000 participants, and was a wonderful community engagement activity. The Deputy Governor attended.
We also participated in a Charity Ball at the Governor’s residence raising money for the Indonesian Cancer Foundation. The local patron in the First Lady. This night included dinner, speeches, the Johannes choir, a charity auction and wonderful band.
Relationships were renewed and strengthened with key staff with an interest or expertise in palliative care in Kupang including Kevin, Adriana, Sophie and Ria.
Kate Vialls & Tim To
