DILI, 10 march 2023 (TATOLI)- UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and Pacific, Björn Andersson highlighted three important subjects including Maternal Health, Youth issues, and Population Census with Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in a discussion held on last 6 march 2023.
The Regional Director United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said the discussion subject is most important to evaluate the UNFPA program implementation to support the establishment of the maternal health center at the municipalities level, aiming to provide appropriate service to safe pregnant women and a newborn in Timor-Leste.
“I met the Prime Minister to discuss three important subjects such as investment in the Health sector, especially on maternal health to provide good service for pregnant mothers and children. We also discussed the Youth issues and the progress of population census,’’ UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and Pacific, Björn Andersson said told journalists at Hotel Timor, this Friday.
Andersson added that UNFP is committed to supporting Timor-Leste and closely working with the Minister of Health and Secretariat of Statistics to achieve great success on the 2022 population census in Timor-Leste.
At the same meeting, UNFPA recommended to the government of Timor-Leste invest more in the health sector, especially providing adequate service to pregnant women to reduce the number of mother and child mortality.
Country Representative of UNFPA in Timor-Leste, Perssia Arifin Cabo said UNFPA in Timor-Leste is providing rehabilitation of maternal health in some municipalities in Timor Leste composed of Manufahi, Liquica, Ermera, and Atauru.
“UNFPA will intentionally expand the rehabilitation of maternal health centers in other municipalities to benefit the rural community across the territories of Timor-Leste,’’ She said
Mrs. Cabo said that UNFPA also provides capacity building for Timorese health staff, aiming to enhance their knowledge to provide appropriate service to the mother and child to reduce the mortality for the newborn in maternal health centers.
MoH recorded so far in 2022 over 428 newborn deaths before delivering process or inside the wombs, while 53% of pregnant women delivered at home.
Following all these issues, UNFPA provided around 500.000 USD for the rehabilitation of maternal health facilities and procured medical equipment, including providing capacity building for health staff in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
