DILI, 04 april 2024 (TATOLI) – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the WHO, together with the Ministry of Health, provided palliative care training for Timor-Leste’s nurses.
Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste said that the training is crucial to improve palliative care in Timor-Leste.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms, or palliative care, along with treatment intended to cure their serious illness.
He said that in order to improve palliative care in the country, the WHO will support the Ministry of Health in building Palliative Care Centers in the country, saying that the centers will provide specific treatment for people with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, etc.
Flávio Brandão, the Vice-Minister for Hospital Operationalization said that two palliative care centers will be built in Timor-Leste, with the support of the WHO, one in the municipality of Mantuto and the other in the municipality of Liquiçá: “Construction is expected to start next year.”
Brandão thanked the UNDOC and WHO for the capacity building and training: “On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I thank UNODC and WHO for organizing the training. This training is important for our health professionals to acquire new knowledge and skills to support our patients with serious illnesses.”
The palliative care training took place from 2 to 4 april in Dili, provided by medical specialists from Indonesia and Singapore.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
