SN5S project launching: WHO commits to collaborate with the Timorese’s Government

DILI, 09 march 2022 (TATOLI) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has committed to collaborate and work with Timor-Leste’s Government specially the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to support the students in multiple ways through some activities.

These activities are made up of the developing and disseminating school health manuals based on the Child-to-Child approach, development of National School Health Strategic Plan 2021-2023, supporting Global Youth Tobacco Survey to monitor the Tobacco use and Global School Based Health Survey to assess overall health status of school children, Building capacity of teachers on tobacco control and climate change.

Including, the strategizing provisions for Eye, Ear and Oral health care and distributing Deworming Drugs to more than 300,000 children through the years.

“It certainly is an inherent, fundamental right for every child to be educated and to be healthy. You would agree with me that Education and Health are intertwined: Poor health will lead to poor educational outcomes and less education limits the opportunities for better health,” said the WHO’s representative in Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur in an official statement released by WHO addressed to Tatoli today.

According to Mr. Mathur, schools are the ideal place to promote healthy behaviours and practices as these will be sustained through the lives.

Therefore, this 5S program is such an important opportunity as it brings the collective efforts of WHO, WFP, our funding partner KOICA and the Government of Timor Leste together for the health, nutrition and food security of school aged children in an efficient and comprehensive manner.

“I wish to acknowledge and thank Republic of Korea and thank Ambassador for the generous support to this unique initiative as WHO and WFP in collaboration with Government of Timor Leste will be working for creating self-sustaining health and nutrition learning environment for students that will impact 1300 primary and pre-primary secondary schools across the country and our collective efforts will touch the lives of about 296,000 students aged between 6-14 years in coming four years”.

“I am confident that the influence of the program will not be limited to school boundaries but will extend to students’ families and communities,” added.

Mr. Mathur emphasized that the young boys and girls who will be healthier and smarter, equipped with knowledge of healthy habits and behaviors, will practice, and convey these health messages and behaviors to their families and communities as health educators, promoters, as Change Agents and role models.

These children, who will be actively involved in their own well-being, will grow into adults who can lead this beautiful country into a healthier, more prosperous, and sustainable future.

“We reckon that the successful implementation of this project can be realized only through cooperation, coordination, and closer working among all of us: Health and Education Ministries, WHO, WFP, other UN agencies, KOICA, the civil society and participating schools, teachers, parents and most importantly the children themselves”.

“This certainly is a momentous turning point to institutionalize health, nutrition, and education so that “No one is left behind”.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the launching of the SNS5, the WHO’s representative in Timor-Leste, Arvind Marthur has considered that it’s the first formal step towards strengthening a health promoting platform through the launch of this new School Health & Nutrition Program called “Say NO to 5S (Starvation, Soil Transmitted helminthiasis, Skin Diseases, Smoking and Sugary and Alcoholic drinks) in schools and beyond.

“Truly, the project is another example of the long-standing partnership between the WHO and the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTLS) for a brighter and healthier future for our children”.

Journalist: Camilio de Sousa

Editor: Rafy Belo