DILI, November 22, 2022 (TATOLI)-The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has implemented a project named SAY NO TO 5S (Starvation, Soil-transmitted helminthiasis, Skin Diseases, Smoking, and Sugary/Alcoholic Drinks) to 375,624 students.
The statement seen by Tatoli stated that the project has been implemented in Baucau, Bobonaro and Manufahi focused on health while improving food intake and aimed at improving the health and nutrition of school-age children in Timor-Leste (TL),
“The project provides Primary Health Care Packages (PHC) to all primary and pre-secondary schools and provides effective health and nutrition education to all primary and pre-secondary school children in Timor-Leste,” the statement said.
This project is implemented in 2021 with a budget worth $7.86 million and would end in 2025.
With the amount of budget, the project also establishes better school policies and school certification systems for safe and healthy environments and provides better kitchen facilities and hygienic cooking systems for quality and safe school meals, while it introduces enriched rice into the National School Meal program through a sustainable supply chain and creates an adequate policy environment to enhance the Social Safety Net Program.
KOICA also collaborates with various agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, WFP (World Food Program), and the World Health Organization (WHO ) to realize this program.
This year KOICA is also implementing a new project called Strengthening Preparedness and Response to Communicable Diseases which is focused on 1,000 health workers in all municipalities in collaboration with WHO.
The project is worth $6 million for 2022 to 2025 to strengthen the Ministry of Health’s communicable disease preparedness and outbreak response systems.
“Its primary focus is detecting, reporting, and responding to priority infectious diseases, events, and outbreaks in a timely manner at all levels and developing and maintaining in-country expertise in detecting, reporting, and responding to priority infectious diseases, events, and outbreaks, “It said.
The project also to prevent HAI (healthcare-associated infections) in priority facilities with an established IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) program.
So far, The two projects are part of the Community Health System Strengthening program to contribute to achieving healthy lives and universal health for all through joint efforts to strengthen TL’s health capacity.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
