DILI, 10 march 2023 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health (MoH), together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (BEmONC) facility at Atauro Community Health Center to reduce the maternal and newborn mortality rate in Timor-Leste.
The provision of quality Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) is very critical and the current and adequate recommended intervention to prevent maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
Ataúro BEmONC Center is equipped with a trained obstetrician and three midwives, including medical and non-medical equipment to support pregnancy care and birth.
UNFPA’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Björn Andersson said the launch of the BEmONC center in Atauro is an important progress towards achieving zero maternal deaths in Timor-Leste, saying the country needs 22 more BEmONC centers to reach all Timorese women who need these essential services for safe delivery and survival of newborns.
“On behalf of UNFPA, I am delighted to be part of this great occasion to launch this Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (BEmONC) facility at Atauro Community Health Center – a critical step to reduce the maternal and newborn mortality rate in Timor-Leste,” Andersson said in Ataúro.
He stressed that investing in building the capacity of healthcare workers is crucial to ensure quality healthcare services – especially when only 48 percent of births are assisted by a skilled attendant and only 32 percent occur within a health facility: “Investing in the health of mothers and babies is investing in the health of the nation.”
Timor-Leste has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Southeast Asia 195/per 100,000 live births and 30 per 1,000 live births infant mortality rate – making Ataúro BEmONC Center a timely intervention.
Andersson said the majority of maternal deaths are preventable by strengthening existing community health centers (CHCs).
In Timor-Leste, with the support of the Australian Government through the Partnership for Human Development (PHD), UNFPA has trained over 142 healthcare workers – mostly doctors and midwives – from hospitals and community health centers (CHCs) across the country, including Ataúro.
“UNFPA has also provided medical and non-medical equipment to hospitals and community health centers across the country to allow healthcare workers to apply their acquired knowledge and skills to contribute to our goal of zero preventable maternal deaths.”
Anderson said UNFPA will continue with its flagship BEmONC training program, supporting the Ministry of Health in improving the quality of service delivery, particularly in maternal and newborn health, and offering support to midwifery schools.
Andersso thanked the Australian Government for their generous contribution to UNFPA which has made it possible to continue to improve the health outcomes of women and girls in Timor-Leste through UNFPA’s many ongoing joint programs: “I would also like to thank all partners involved, especially the Ministry of Health and the National Health Institute for their continuous trust, collaboration, and support,”
At the same place, the UNFPA’s Representative in Timor-Leste, Pressia Arifin-Cabo emphasized that around 6,000 mothers in Timor-Leste are estimated to a high risk to develop life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and will need access to a quality emergency obstetric and newborn care services annually.
The Ministry of Health and UNFPA have also previously inaugurated three other B-EmONC centers in the municipalities of Liquiçá, Viqueque, and Manufahi.
“Making motherhood safer is a top priority for UNFPA. UNFPA will continue the work and partnership with governments, other UN agencies, civil society, and donors to develop comprehensive efforts to ensure universal access and provision of quality services for maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health care including family planning, HIV/STIs, and gender-based violence (GBV),” said Arifin-Cabo.
On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, Health Minister Odete Belo thanked UNFPA and DFAT for their generosity in supporting the creation of the Ataúro BEmONC Center and other centers in the country.
Minister Belo urged pregnant mothers to visit the Ataúro BEmONC Center to receive quality safe pregnancy, safe delivery, and postpartum care services: “We have a trained obstetrician and midwives to support you in delivering your babies.”
“Working as an obstetrician and midwife, you must show respect, good attitudes, and address women’s uncertainties to convince more women to seek medical care at the Ataúro BEmONC Center,” Belo said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
