DILI, 31 may 2023 (TATOLI)—The Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Timor Leste, Arvind Mathur urges the Ministry of Health (MoH), to continue the sensibilization on smoking risk to increase public knowledge about the effects of smoking which can cause non-communicable diseases in Timor – Leste.
“WHO in Timor Leste, urge the Ministry of Health to increase the knowledge of Timorese people, about their knowledge of the effects and causes of smoking,” Arvind Mathur told Tatoli in his office Kaikoli Dili, on wednesday.
According to Mathur, the Ministry of Health must increase public awareness, especially for youth to have knowledge and understanding of the direct and indirect effects of consuming tobacco.WHO is working with the Government of Timor Leste to discuss the especially policy of tobacco control in Timor Leste.
At the same place, the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo said that WHO take the initiative to reduce and prevent smokers in Timor -Leste, because the majority of tobacco consumers will have health affect.
“Talking about prevention for smokers, we work with many entities to reduce and prevent this disease. Therefore, starting from our family we must stop smoking, so we can prevent disease,” she explained.
It was explained, the Ministry of Health is trying to reduce smoking, through socialization, and the danger of smoking hoping the smoker will aware to stop smoking to prevent the chronic disease in Timor – Leste.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
