DILI, 24 august 2023 (TATOLI)- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) wanted to improve the midwifery curriculum to fulfill international standards in four health institutions in Timor-Leste.
Country Representative of UNFPA in Timor-Leste, Pressia Arifin Cabo said UNFPA and TICA intended to uniform the curriculum that is used for the teaching and learning process in four health institutions in Timor-Leste, aiming to respond to the international standard for providing service to pregnancy women to reduce the mortality rate in this country.
“We wish to uniform the curriculum to be used in health midwifery schools. It is to help all students gain knowledge to provide the service to pregnant mothers during anti-natal care and also for the delivery process. UNFPA and TICA have directly observed the curriculum that is used for teaching and learning in the health institution in Timor-Leste,’’ Country Representative of UNFPA in Timor-Leste, Pressia Arifin Cabo told journalists in the UN house, Caicoli, Wednesday.
She added that the government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, has begun to improve the quality standards of midwifery education to reduce maternal mortality in the country, with the potential for South-South Cooperation with the Government of Thailand and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund office (UNFPA) in Timor-Leste and the country of Thailand.
The three midwifery institutions schools composed of Timor-Leste National University (UNTL), Institute Superior Cristal (ISC), and Health Science Institute (ICS),
Mrs. Cabo said In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Timor-Leste National Public Health Institute (INSP-TL), the UN Population Fund has supported the development of the midwifery curriculum and the formulation of national guidelines for midwifery training in Timor-Leste, the establishment of basic skills laboratories and the capacity building of midwifery educators including their participation in national, regional and international training and workshops.
Midwives have an important role in ending preventable deaths during and after childbirth achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1- which aims to reduce global mortality because the ratio of pregnancy and childbirth complications is less than 70 per 100,000 live births in 2030.
Pregnancy-related complications can be prevented if the right investment in midwifery education is prioritized. In Timor-Leste, UNFPA has supported midwifery education and the Timor-Leste National Midwifery Association (APTL) since its founding.
UNFPA also supports the Timor-Leste National Midwifery Association (APTL) with the development of midwifery competency standards in accordance with international standards and registration as a member of the International Midwives Confederation (ICM),” added Pressia Arifin Cabo
In the same place, the Minister attached to Thailand International Agency (TICA), Lieutenant Sorawud Preededilok said Thailand is committed to supporting Timor-Leste to enhance maternal health with a proposal to reduce the mortality rate for pregnant mothers and babies in Timor-Leste.
“Through this South-South collaboration, the capacity of teachers in midwifery schools as well as teaching and learning methodologies will be increased by focusing on human resource development activities to improve the quality of midwifery services to improve the quality of life for mothers and babies and end preventable maternal and infant deaths,” He said
Timor-Leste will benefit from Thailand’s experience in providing technical assistance in the field of maternal health building networks with other countries in the region and building relationships with Thailand. Every year, Timorese students benefit from scholarships from the TICA.
It is known that, Given that Timor-Leste is one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Asia, namely 195 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the Timor-Leste Demographic Health Survey (TL DHS 2016), this partnership will enable Thailand and Timor-Leste to capitalize on learning experiences through South-South cooperation to become safe mothers.
Since 2000, the TICA has supported Timor-Leste in Health, Agriculture, and other sectors with a total of 2.9 million USD.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
