DILI, 18 april 2023 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health (MoH) with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) launch the project “Strengthening Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response in Timor-Leste”.
The four-year project (2022-2026) was launched at the Ministry of Health, and funded by KOICA with more than US$6 million.
The objectives of the project are to: strengthen the country’s capacity for diseases surveillance and response at national, municipal, and local levels, establish a web-based surveillance reporting system; support the capacity of points of entry (PoEs) and strengthen the laboratory testing and reporting system; and develop the public health human resources by developing a functional field epidemiological training program (FETP), including establishes a training and resource center for FETP.
This project will support the development and update of an addendum to the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response – A guideline for implementation in Timor-Leste to incorporate data collection and analysis, emergency warning, and feedback on acute public health events.
A project steering committee (PSC) has also been officially established and will be responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of the project.
The WHO Country Office provides technical support to MoH and implements the project on behalf of the MoH.
The Representative of WHO Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur said the infectious diseases pose a significant threat to global health security: “They can spread rapidly, causing widespread illness, death, and economic disruption.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how important it is to be prepared for such events and the importance of collaboration and cooperation to respond effectively to such crises,” he said.
Mathur stressed that the project will develop the human resources of the public health workforce through developing the field epidemiologist training program and training and resource center that will be housed in INS-P.
Mathur thanked MoH and KOICA for reposing their confidence in WHO Timor-Leste to be the Technical and Implementing Partner for the project: “This surely is a significant step towards building Safer and Healthier Timor-Leste and for Safer and Healthier World for all.”
At the same place, KOICA Country Director, Eunja Cha said that the Korean Government and its people are committed to keeping supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in several areas, including strengthening the National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2011-2030.
Cha added that the Republic of Korea has been supporting Timor-Leste with essential health interventions, including Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), tuberculosis, and the School Feeding Program.
“This project is the evidence of our commitment to excellence and innovation. We are confident that this project will bring positive changes in Timor-Leste,” concluded Cha.
The Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo thanked WHO and KOICA for their commitment to continue supporting the Government of Timor-Leste, especially the Ministry of Health, to improve the country’s health system and public health.
“I thank our trusted partners, especially WHO and KOICA for launching this new project. I deeply appreciate the WHO Office for its collaboration and willingness to participate in the implementation of the project,” said Minister Belo.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
