DILI, 12 march 2024 (TATOLI) – The Japanese government and the non-governmental organization Frontline have signed a grant agreement of US$557,000 US, under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, to improve the provision of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health services in Bobonaro municipality.
The grant agreement was signed by the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, and the Director of Frontline, Yohei Kawaguchi, in the presence of José dos Reis Magno, the Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health.
Tetsuya Kimura said that the grant would enable the municipality’s health professionals to strengthen their capacities in providing training for mothers and carrying out community awareness campaigns.
“Around 945 pregnant women will have access to obstetric ultrasound examinations, several civil servants will attend training on health care provision for six months and an awareness campaign on maternal and infant mortality will be organized,” said Kimura, in Dili.
Kawaguchi added that, alongside these activities, solar panels will also be installed in the health units in Bobonaro, as an alternative energy source in case of a power cut.
“We believe that this project will contribute to achieving long-term sustainable results in reducing maternal and infant mortality, improving the continuity of health services for mothers and babies from prenatal care onwards,” he concluded.
Vice-Minister Magno extended his appreciation to the Japanese government and partners for their contribution to improving health care in Timor-Leste.
Frontline has been present in Timor-Leste for 20 years and has been working in Ermera since 2020. Frontline’s work in Ermera has focused on developing a base of health activities through collaboration with Japanese and Timorese doctors, including the construction of the maternity building in the village of Guisarudu, in the administrative post of Hatolia, Ermera municipality.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
