OEKUSI, 13 August 2025 (TATOLI) – World Vision Timor-Leste, in collaboration with a local NGO’s – Foundation Esperansa Enclave Oekusi (FEEO) and the Health Directorate of the Special Administrative Region of Oekusi-Ambeno (RAEOA), introduced two programs aimed at improving nutrition and immunization for mothers and children.
Maurisio Gusmão, Program Manager at World Vision Timor-Leste, stated that the two initiatives – Better Health Nutrition for Mother and Children (BHN4MC) and Strengthening Uptake of Nutrition and Immunization in Timor-Leste (SUNITL) – are designed to reduce malnutrition among mothers and children in Oekusi. BHN4MC is funded directly by World Vision Singapore, while SUNITL receives support from the Australian Government through the Partnership for Human Development (PHD).
SUNITL focuses on increasing routine immunization for children aged 0 to 23 months and delivering essential nutrition services to children aged six to 59 months, including adolescent girls and women of reproductive age.
A workshop was held to prepare and coordinate the implementation of both programs, aiming to align objectives among municipal-level partners and strengthen collaboration between government, communities, and key stakeholders.
“SUNITL will be implemented over six months in Oekusi, while BHN4MC will run for two years. Today’s workshop brings together partners to share information and gather support, especially from health personnel, subdistrict administrators, and village chiefs, so we can adjust plans to better serve the coverage areas. These programs are focused on improving maternal and child health and boosting immunization,” Gusmão said at Nidela Restaurant in Oekusi.
He emphasized that World Vision will not work alone but in close partnership with health personnel at health posts and centers. Initial plans include collecting data on malnutrition cases in the coverage areas to ensure services respond directly to local needs.
“I guarantee that with strong partners, we can quickly address malnutrition cases in Oekusi,” he affirmed.
Regional Secretary for Health, Luís de Jesus Neno, reported that malnutrition in Oecusse remains high at 57%, with most cases concentrated in the Pante Makasar subregion. Of these, 167 children are affected, with 13% suffering from acute malnutrition.
“Oekusi ranks third in Timor-Leste after Ermera and Ainaro. Within Oekusi, Pante Makasar is the most affected, especially at Kiomaonteko Health Center and Baqui Health Center, followed by Oesilo Health Center,” Neno explained.
He detailed that Kiomaonteko Health Center serves Lifau and Costa villages; Baqui Health Center covers Naimeko and Bobokase; and in the Oesilo subregion, Bobometo and Usitasa’e villages are affected.
“To address future malnutrition cases, we must act strategically. Human resources are not the issue – most health posts have four to five staff. In this third quarter, all health centers must conduct evaluations and coordinate with the Oekusi Referral Hospital and regional health services to expand coverage,” he concluded.
Journalist: Abílio Elo Nini
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
