#WeAreSydneyID - Health service innovations

I'm Dr Manisha Yapa, an infectious diseases physician scientist working here at the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute.

HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B are three major infectious diseases that kill nearly 3.5 million people worldwide, every year.

Even though there are proven effective treatments for each disease, people may have multiple infections or underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

When care for each condition is provided separately, it's difficult for people who are already unwell to navigate health services, especially among disadvantaged populations. They might live really far away from health care or can't afford to take time off work. Innovative solutions are needed to better harmonise care.

By collaborating with other clinicians, public health specialists, other academics and health service consumers, my research designs and tests feasible health service innovations to improve access to care and health outcomes in Australia and overseas.