DILI, 21 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The National Ultrasound Training curriculum has been established for the first time in Timor-Leste and 10 qualified obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound practitioners had been trained in Ermera Municipality.
On wednesday (16/07), the Japanese NGO Frontline hosted a ceremony to award a certificate of qualification to the first Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) Ultrasound trainees in Gleno, Ermera.
This is a part of the project “Improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) in Ermera Municipality” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the Japanese NGO Frontline. Under this project, training guidelines and curriculum for OBGYN were developed for the first time in Timor-Leste.
Under this project, 25 portable ultrasound machines were procured from Japan and placed in health posts and health centers in Ermera, and the Institute of National Health (INS) is going to receive some of those at the completion of the project.
The training curriculum, also developed under this project, requires trainees to understand the mechanisms and functions of this equipment. Trainees will also learn about critical elements in antenatal medical examination such as position and size of fetus and pregnancy complications.
With the training guidelines and curriculum, INS now has the necessary tools to conduct OBGYN ultrasound training domestically, and the MoH can initiate the provision of ultrasound services by qualified ultrasound practitioners in rural areas.
Through this project, 4.000 pregnant women in Ermera municipality will be able to receive obstetric ultrasound examinations, and more than 30 health care workers and government officials will be able to enhance their capacity in improving the quality of healthcare for pregnant women and their babies.
In the Hatolia B area, the number of antenatal care patients before the introduction of ultrasound examination was around 70 per month. During 6 months of the implementation of this program, it has increased to 175 per month and many of them continue to receive ultrasound examinations in antenatal care.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Timor-Leste, and the Government of Japan has supported maternal care in Timor-Leste since 2002.
Now more than ever, it is critical to support all pregnant women and newborns to receive high-quality care during all stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period so that both children and mothers can enjoy a better, healthier life.
On february 8, 2022, the Grant contract for the second year of the project “Improving the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) in Ermera Municipality” was signed between Mr. Masami KINEFUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, and Ms. Kayono NAKAJIMA, NGO Frontline Country Representative. The amount of the grant is US$360,277.
In Timor-Leste, the current estimated maternal mortality rate is 2.15 per 1,000 live births, and the stillbirth rate is 18 per 1,000 total births. The number of deaths in Ermera municipality is higher than in other municipalities and most deaths occur in rural areas.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
