AAMRI calls attention to critical need for research-led healthcare

Ahead of the 2019 federal election the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) has developed an Election Statement outlining key areas any future government must prioritise to give all Australians the best healthcare system in the future.

Our past investment in medical research has served Australia well, helping millions live longer and healthier lives. But for the first time in decades, we face the risk of our life expectancy and quality of life going backwards.

AAMRI President Professor Vlado Perkovic says we need a research-led healthcare system to address the health concerns currently facing Australia. “More people are expected to be affected by chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia, placing a greater strain on our health system,” said Professor Perkovic.

In Australia we are currently benefiting from a decade of smart investments, like the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) which has accelerated a range of priority driven research activities – such as clinical trials and commercialisation pathways. However, we now must ensure that this initiative is fully-funded and efficiently administered.

“We call on all candidates and political parties to commit to fully funding the MRFF, and to ensure that rigorous expert review processes are used to evaluate opportunities and programs,” said Professor Perkovic.

Similarly, we have an array of brilliant researchers across the nation working in medical research institutes, but the landscape for those new scientists entering the sector is very challenging.

“If we do not invest in the future of our mid-career researchers in particular, we will see those current and future stars leaving research, or moving to take up better supported overseas opportunities. These people are some of Australia’s most valuable assets and must be protected and prioritised.”

We have a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to leverage our medical research sector to deliver what could be the world’s best healthcare system, and mustn’t waste this opportunity.

Along with the election statement AAMRI has created a short explainer animation to clearly outline the urgency, and future impact on Australia not prioritising these areas would have.

Election statement (PDF available below): https://aamri.org.au/electionstatement

Explainer animation: https://youtu.be/JAyGZCKGuMA

Media Contact: Aimee Sanderson, 0414 611 334, aimee.sanderson@aamri.org.au.