DILI, 05 april, 2022 (TATOLI)- United States International Development Agency (USAID) is providing technical assistance on Health System Sustainability Activity to the Minister of Health (MoH).
The USAID’s result of a capacity assessment data analyst, Sarah Romorini explained that USAID provided the proper technique for the Minister of Health on data collection, analysis and even using the data.
“Data Assessment is most vital for the Minister of Health. It is helping the Minister of Health to evaluate the service performance in the health system,” The USAID’s result of capacity assessment data analyst, Sarah Romorini said in her speech, at Suai room, Timor-Plaza, this tuesday.
The aim of the USAID Health System Sustainability Activity in Timor-Leste is to build a self-reliant health system that is well-governed, efficient, accountable, and responsive to people’s needs. One of the Activity’s objectives is to strengthen the existing community health systems to improve health behaviors around an inclusive reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (inclusive RMNCAHN).
This fact sheet provides a summary of the USAID Health System Sustainability Activity in Timor-Leste.
The Timor-Leste activity will effectively and sustainably strengthen the Government of Timor-Leste’s ability to govern, finance, and deliver high-quality, affordable essential health services while being responsive and accountable to users and engaged civil society.
The activity will advance Timor-Leste’s self-reliance by strengthening government capacity to support the country’s institutions and organizations to independently design, fund, implement, and manage their health system.
The Director Gabinete Policy, Planning, and Health cooperation, Narciso Fernandes said that is vital support provided by USAID for MoH. It is supporting the government to evaluate the data that has been collected for primary and secondary health care.
“MoH has recognized the lack of human resources on data analyzing, interpretation, and using data,” The director Narcisio said
Mr. Fernandes added that currently, MoH is facing challenges in accessing the health system, due to poor internet connectivity. It is difficult for health staff to access data in remote areas, even to use the data. All data has been collected already inserted into the data entry system.
The USAID Health System Sustainability Activity is helping Timor-Leste build a self-reliant health system that is well-governed, efficient, accountable, and responsive to people’s needs. Through close collaboration with local stakeholders, our work aims to:
- Strengthen health sector governance by increasing evidence-based decision-making in the ministry of health, expanding collaboration and coordination between the ministries of health and finance, and improving health budget execution
- Support management of the health workforce by strengthening information systems, developing health workforce competencies and standards, and improving the capacity and distribution of health workers
- Promote healthy behaviors such as those related to family planning, nutrition, handwashing, and gender-based violence through social and behavior change activities
- Mobilize civil society organizations to advocate for health services, and foster open dialogue among policymakers, political leaders, and civil society
It is known that since gaining its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made strides in rebuilding its infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and core human resources. However, recent data indicate that the country still lags behind in regional average life expectancy, malnutrition and undernutrition, and family planning.
The Government of Timor-Leste faces multiple system-level challenges that impede its ability to deliver high-quality, affordable health services to address these key health issues.
USAID is provided 15.6 million USD for the activity. The activity will be implemented for 4 years, from july 21, 2021.
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Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
