DILI, 17 March 2025 (TATOLI) – A grant contract on a new project using “Grant Assistance for Japanese NGC Projects” funded by the Government of Japan was signed between a Japanese NGO Frontline and the Embassy of Japan.
The budget will be utilized to implement the project entitled “Enhancing the Quality of Maternal Health Services through Medical Capacity Building and Improvement of Facilities in Bobonaro Municipality (Phase 1)” and the total budget for this project is US$490,751.
The grant contract was signed at the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste by Ambassador Tetsuya Kimura and Yohei Kawaguchi, the Country Representative of NGO Frontline, and was witnessed by the President of the Bobonaro Municipal Authority, Alexandrino Pires, and the Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health, José dos Reis Magno.
From 2024 to March 2025, Frontline implemented various initiatives in pilot areas within Bobonaro Municipality. For instance, ultrasound examination training was provided to 12 healthcare professionals, 10 of whom were certified as entry-level ultrasound technicians according to the national guideline. In addition, solar panels were installed at CHC Lourba to ensure high-quality medical services even during power outages. These activities were carried out to improve the quality of maternal and child health services in Bobonaro Municipality. To further expand these efforts, the Government of Japan and Frontline have decided to continue the activities in Bobonaro Municipality.
In Phase 1 of the new project, the scope of activities will be expanded to cover the entire Bobonaro Municipality. This includes conducting antenatal care training for healthcare professionals, promoting maternal education classes for pregnant women, raising awareness among community members, monitoring ultrasound examinations for pregnant women, and constructing a maternal and child health ward at CHC Lourba. These activities will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Bobonaro Municipality, and the Bobonaro Health Department to ensure their sustainability beyond the project’s completion. Through this project, approximately 2,500 pregnant women will gain access to improved antenatal care while more than 20,000 community members, including the families of pregnant women, will benefit from the project’s activities.
During the ceremony, Ambassador KIMURA highlighted the importance of both activities of building wards for mothers and children and capacity building for people from different layers involved.
Yohei KAWAGUCHI, Country Representative of Frontline Timor-Leste, stated “This project aims to support mothers and children living in rural areas. Enhancing the knowledge of both healthcare providers and community members will help protect newborns and contribute to the sustainable development of Timor-Leste’s healthcare system.”
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
