Date, 26 July 2023 (TATOLI)- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta discussed the importance of Maternal Health and neonatal obstetric care for Timorese pregnant women in Timor-Leste.
UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, Pressia Arifin Cabo said UNFPA has a major initiative to further develop maternal health and Neonatal Obstetric care, which aims to reduce the risk of maternal and newborn mortality.
” We are here with my team to meet the President of the Republic José Ramos Horta. We have a big initiative and request for His support in maternal health,” Pressia Arifin Cabo told reporters at the Presidential Palace, after meeting with Republican President José Ramos Horta, at Bairru Pité, this Wednesday.
He added that Timor-Leste’s Maternal Mortality Rate had reached 195 percent, mostly deaths caused during childbirth: “UNFPA wanted to support the Timor-Leste government to reduce the mortality rate from 60 to 100 percent of deaths, focusing on scaling up antenatal care for all health facilities across the country and increasing emergency services for pregnant women,”
Regarding access to health service facilities, he said, UNFPA had also identified 47% of pregnant women giving birth at the health centers and 53% of mothers giving birth at home, which caused a high risk of death.
“UNFPA is working hard and has made up a total of 36% of Obstetric Neonatal Care. UNFPA has improved 4 maternal health services, so it takes hard work to establish more than 32 maternal health centers to ensure that all pregnant women can give birth to their babies in hospitals or health centers,”
While discussing health issues, She said that another issue was discussed including HIV/AIDS and its prevention.
“UNFPA also informed the President of the Republic about the importance of an awareness-raising program to prevent HIV and AIDS in Timor-Leste,” he said.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
