Tinte Itinteang PhD

As the Honorable Minister of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) and the Honorable Member of Parliament for Betio since 2020, he has led the health reforms and innovations in Kiribati, a small island nation facing multiple health challenges. With a Ph.D. in Stem Cell Biology from Victoria University of Wellington and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Melbourne, he have a strong background and passion for translational medicine and cutting-edge medical research, especially in the areas of cancer, vascular anomalies, and fibrotic diseases. He holds multiple patents and publications in these fields and has received prestigious international awards for his work.

In his current role, he oversees the COVID-19 response and the introduction of Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) into the country, as well as the creation of the inaugural Director-General role and the Senior Leadership Team in the MHMS. He also secures financial resources and negotiates multi-stakeholder collaborations with various partners, such as the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Plunket Nursing NZ, the Asian Development Bank, and others. he has extensive experience in international collaboration and multi-organization partnerships, as well as working with and in management roles across diverse ethnic and cultural settings, including Indigenous Pacific societies. His mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people of Kiribati and the Pacific region through evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.