DILI, 05 november 2024 (TATOLI) – UNICEF has officially handed over 98 computer tablets and 84 routers, to the Ministry of Health to expand digital health technology in 73 Community Health Centres and 14 municipalities health services across the country. The distribution of the ICT equipment is being done under the project, “Supporting Digital Health System for Infectious Diseases Control in Southeast and East Asia,” which is being managed by UNICEF with funding from the Government of Japan.
These digital devices will boost the Ministry of Health’s digital health system through expanding the digital health mobile application and web-based platform, to enhance data management.
In 2021, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Health to register and record the COVID-19 vaccination through this mobile application which also served as a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This current collaborative support of UNICEF and the Government of Japan will help to now expand this application to record the details of each individual who visits the health facilities for any kind of health services.
“The Ministry of Health appreciates this generous supply of computer tablets, which will go a long way to help the Ministry to swiftly manage and transmit health data from community health center and municipalities. With this support at all levels of the health delivery system in the country, will strengthen the health system and enhance the quality of data they collect, boost the evidence-based management of the child healthcare system and therefore help to improve overall quality of health care system and delivery of healthcare services to all citizens,” said Vice Minister of Health, José dos Reis Magno.
This support to the MoH will greatly enhance sub national level capacity to phase out paper-based data management systems, and build a more resilient and robust health system, which can efficiently manage patient information, facilitate communication, and make data-driven decisions to enhance public health initiatives.
Over the course of the next months, health workers at municipal and health facility level will receive intense training on the use of the computer tablets, to ensure the generation of quality data from municipal level and the timely transmission of this data to the national health database.
“Japan has been supporting the development of Timor-Leste for 25 years, beginning before its independence in 1999. We have engaged in various initiatives in the health sector, implementing over 60 health-related projects throughout the country. We hope that you will make most of use of this project to enhance the healthcare system. We are pleased that Japan can contribute to strengthening the health management system in Timor-Leste,” said KIMURA Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste.
“A strong, digital health system is crucial to ensure that every child’s health needs are efficiently responded to through the national health system. UNICEF is extremely proud to contribute to Timor-Leste’s national drive in this area and is grateful to the Government of Japan for the ongoing, all-round support to the health and wellbeing of Timor-Leste’s children,” said Cheah Yew Hee, UNICEF Timor-Leste Officer in Charge.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
