From provincial clinics to national policy, Australia Awards alumnus Dr. Lazarus De Neko is leading transformative change in the Solomon Islands health sector, using his Australian education to bring impact where it matters most.
A medical doctor by training and a dedicated public health leader, Dr. De Neko has served in various key roles, including Director of Health Services for Choiseul Province and later as Deputy Secretary Corporate for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Today, he serves as Program Manager for the Global Fund, where he oversees efforts to combat malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV in collaboration with global partners.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. De Neko credits the Australia Awards, which allowed him to undertake a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Business Administration at James Cook University from 2012 to 2014, as a defining chapter in his professional and personal life.
“The scholarship really changed my outlook on how the health service is planned and implemented,” he said. “It was the MBA part of my studies that really helped me, particularly in planning, strategy, budgeting, and all those administrative areas that are critical to health systems.”
Upon returning from Australia, Dr. De Neko recommitted himself to his home province of Choiseul, determined to use what he learned to uplift the community that raised him.
“Choiseul has given so much to me,” he said. “So, when I came back, we reoriented the health service in the province to focus on systems, impact, and results, and it worked.”
His leadership bore fruit when Choiseul Province was awarded Best Performing Province in 2018, a milestone he directly attributes to the impact of his Australia Awards experience.
“That recognition came from the shift in how we planned and implemented health services,” he explained. “It was about bringing those systems-thinking and results-oriented approaches I learned in Australia back home.”
Now based in Honiara and working with an international NGO, Dr. De Neko continues to influence public health policy and systems at the national level. Yet, his sense of purpose remains deeply rooted in community service and youth empowerment.
“The scholarship didn’t just impact my work. It added value to every area of my life—professionally, personally, and socially,” he said. “It made me a better planner, a better thinker, and someone who can give back meaningfully to community and church.”
At the inaugural Australia Awards Solomon Islands Alumni Impacts gathering themed “Healthy communities, informed voices: Alumni making a difference,” Dr. De Neko emphasised the power of the alumni network in fostering collaboration and inspiration.
“These alumni events are powerful,” he said. “It’s not just about networking. It’s about stories—sharing stories of impact, success, and challenges. That’s where the real value lies. Every person you meet adds a little bit to your own journey.”
To date, the Australian Government, through the Australia Awards program, has supported over 600 Solomon Islanders to gain world class tertiary education. These alumni continue to make a meaningful difference across a wide range of professional fields.
