Creating evidence to enhance Torres Strait health services

Located north of Cape York Peninsula and south of Papua New Guinea, the islands of the Torres Strait are home to a wealth of history, culture and biodiversity.

Despite this abundance, life in the archipelago comes with a distinct set of challenges. The low-lying islands are particularly susceptible to climate change, with rising sea levels causing coastal erosion – damaging homes and infrastructure.

Geographical isolation from the mainland means the cost of transport, essential goods and services is higher than in the rest of Australia.

Health care is much more complicated in the Torres Strait. With limited access to specialist care, Torres Strait Islanders with serious health conditions are often required to move to mainland Australia to access live-saving treatment. This comes at a cost and separates people from their culture and support networks.

“Local health centres offer limited services,” Pat Turner scholar and Torres Strait Islander Ronald Fujii explains.

Ronald knows too well the challenges faced by his people.

“When it comes to health care, people prefer to receive treatment on Country.”

With the support of his home agency, Torres Strait Regional Authority, Ronald completed a Master of Public Policy through Charles Darwin University (CDU) in 2024. He won the CDU First Nations Commonwealth Reward for outstanding academic achievement in Indigenous research.

“I wanted to better understand how policy arrangements can improve health services in the Torres Strait,” Ronald said.

Ronald has been awarded a second Pat Turner scholarship and commenced a PhD at CDU in 2025.

His PhD will expand upon his master’s research project with a focus on chronic illness.

“My PhD aims to examine and explore Torres Strait Islanders' involvement in health policy implementation at a grassroots level. I will explore the tensions between law and lore, inquiring into collaborative governance in health policy in the Torres Strait.

“The study focuses explicitly on Torres Strait Islanders – speaking with patients and carers through an ethnographic study, using community traditional governance processes.

“Torres Strait Islanders will have the opportunity to share their specific experiences and how they feel about health policy.

“This will create new evidence and ideas directly from Torres Strait communities.”

Ronald says the research will have the potential to change the way Australian governments engage with communities in the Torres Strait.

He hopes to bring Traditional Owners along with him on his research journey.

“Developing my research in partnership with Traditional Owners means they will have the opportunity to collect evidence and data to support and influence change.”

The Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three-year, full-pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at The Australian National University or Charles Darwin University for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS4 to SES Band 1 Australian Public Service employees.

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Image: Kelly Chen Photography