DILI, 02 july 2021 (TATOLI)-Timor-Leste’s government together with the United States of America (USA) government officially launched an activity to help ensure that more Timorese citizens can access affordable health service through a well-functioning national health system.
USA through the United State International Development Agency (USAID) is partnering with the Minister of Health (MoH) to provide the proper healthy system and ensuring all people can access the well health service.
The new USAID Health System Sustainability activity will support the Ministry of Health, National Institutional of Health (HNI), and other relevant institutions, to design and manage quality health service for Timorese people.
The USAID will provide for data collection, data management and technical assistance to improve the health service performance. The support also provided for the health human resource, offers training to health service staff in national and municipalities level. The Ambassador of the United State of America, Charles Kevin Blackstone, told TATOLI Agency at Novo Turismo, Lecidere, this Friday.
Mr. Blackstone considered in the last preview year the health system in Timor-Leste is strengthened as a major priority for the Ministry of Health and development partners to provide proper health service to all Timor-Leste across the country.
The USAID is provided financially the amount of $.15.6 million for the activity and will focus on using data to make informed decisions and increasing financing for better health. The prioritizing of government funding for health care and expanding the role of the private sector and insurance companies to improve health facility programs.
“It is most important for Minister of Health to engage with USAID to promote the Timor-Leste health system sustainability activity, to guarantee strong health system essential as the country prepares for copes with pandemics” said Minister of Health, Dr. Odete Maria Belo
The USAID Mission Director, Zema Semunegus said that it is a privilege to be in partnership with the Timor-Leste government to design rigorous, data driven systems that will help ensure good health for future generations of Timor-Leste.
The USAID activity will also use social and behavior change methods and tools to increase adoption of healthy behaviors and promote gender equality in all health coverage areas.
The activity also will provide training for civic society organizations in behavior change approaches as well as monitoring and accountability for essential health products and services, including supporting government stakeholders to better understand the perspectives and needs of their clients and health workers who provide services.
The United States government, though USAID, works in partnership with Timor-Leste’s government to support broad-base and effective development. Since 2001, USAID has provided nearly $350 million in development assistance for economic growth, especially in the agriculture and tourism sectors, and to improve the health of the Timor-Leste people, particularly women and children. All areas highlighted the Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development program 2013-2030.
Journalists: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
