DILI, 19 july 2023 ( TATOLI)– The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) today held a workshop to validate the health financing glossary in Timor Leste.
USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus said USAID’s Health System Sustainability activity is working with the Ministry of Health, relevant partners, and civil society organizations to strengthen health financing in Timor – Leste and to improve evidence-based decision-making by maximizing the utilization of health information financing data.
“With the contribution of different stakeholders today – including academia, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health, Prime Minister Office, Civil Society Organisations, donors, and development partners – we will produce a high-quality health financing glossary,” USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus told reporters in JL Vila Fatuhada Dili, on wednesday.
Zema Semunegus explained the glossary is crucial for all people working in the health financing area. This will facilitate the learning process when conducting analytical work on health financing in Timor – Leste.
At the same place the General Director of Corporate of the Ministry of Health, Marcelo Amaral, said the health financial glossary will serve as a reference for health managers at all levels to use financing terms consistently.
“The glossary in Tetun will facilitate the learning process and analytical work on health financing in Timor – Leste,” he said.
Amaral highlighted since health financing terms are new for many working in the health financing area, the Ministry of Health will use the glossary as a reference for health financing training and for defining key health financing and Public Financial Management terms.
“This glossary is a living document and will be regularly updated as needed,” he concluded.
So far in March 2023, the Ministry of Health approved the proposal of establishing a health financing unit( HFU) which was launched with participation from academia, civil society organizations, donor agencies, and development partners.
With the supervision of the General Director of Corporate Services, the HFU worked closely with the USAID Health System Sustainability Activity to draft and disseminate the health financing training curriculum and health financing glossary in Timor – Leste.
“This time USAID and MoH prioritize to finalize the health financing glossary with anticipation of over 50 attendances in this event,”
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia
