Dr Smathi Chong is a specialist of infectious diseases with sub-specialties in pathology and microbiology. He treats patients at St John of God Subiaco Hospital.

Dr Chong graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2001 and trained in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. He has also completed a Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Liverpool in the UK.

Dr Chong also does volunteer teaching at a hospital in West Timor, Indonesia. He first went to West Timor in 2009 and since 2011, has been involved in capacity building in the Microbiology laboratory at Prof Johannes Hospital in Kupang. He has also presented lectures at a number of workshops at Prof Johannes Hospital and the Kupang Health Polytechnic.