New Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Centre strengthens maternal health services in Atsabe
DÍLI, 31 August 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste has opened a new Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (KEmON-B) centre in Atsabe Administrative Post, Ermera Municipality, expanding access to emergency maternity and newborn services for communities in the area.
Health Minister Élia A.A. dos Reis Amaral inaugurated the facility on August 31, saying the centre would help women and newborns receive timely and quality care closer to home.
The upgraded centre was established through cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the Government of Japan.
It will provide services around the clock, seven days a week, and is equipped with medical and non-medical equipment required to deliver basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
The centre is expected to serve about 17,000 women of reproductive age in Atsabe and provide care to about 800 pregnant women each year.
Health workers have received specialised training in emergency obstetric and neonatal care, including the management of complications such as pre-eclampsia and severe bleeding, as well as neonatal resuscitation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Amaral said the centre reflected the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and dignity of women and newborns while ensuring families could access essential healthcare without travelling long distances.
“By inaugurating this centre, we reaffirm our responsibility to ensure that it operates according to appropriate standards, has qualified health professionals, medical equipment and supplies, and is integrated into the health system,” Amaral said.
The minister thanked Japan for its support in strengthening Timor-Leste’s health system and recognised the contribution of development partners to improving maternal and newborn healthcare.
“Together, we are strengthening primary healthcare and services for mothers and newborns in the places where they are most needed,” she said.
The Ministry of Health will continue to supervise the centre and provide training for health workers. It will also ensure supplies of essential medicines and medical equipment, while maintaining referral and communication systems for emergency cases.
Amaral also thanked staff at the Atsabe Community Health Centre and highlighted the role of local authorities and community representatives in supporting the use and maintenance of the facility.
The inauguration was attended by Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Yamamoto Yasushi, UN Resident Coordinator Funmi Balogun, UNFPA Representative Navchaa Suren, senior Ministry of Health officials, representatives of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), local authorities, religious congregations, health workers and community representatives.
The new KEmON-B centre is expected to strengthen Atsabe’s capacity to respond to obstetric and neonatal emergencies and reduce the need for women and newborns to travel to distant health facilities for urgent treatment.
TATOLI
