DILI, 5 May 2022, (TATOLI)– The Minister of Health (MoH) through the Timor-Leste Midwifery Association (APTL), World Health Organization (WHO), UNFAP, and UNTL celebrates the 100th International Midwife Confederation (IMC).
At the celebration of the 100th ICM, WHO Country Director, Arving Mathur said the rapid decline in maternal and infant mortality rates nationally was the result of investment in midwife training.
“In Timor-Leste, midwifery training began in 1986 and the return on investment in midwifery was reflected in the rapid decline in maternal and infant mortality from 1900 to 2015,” WHO country director Arvin Mathur said in remarks at the CCD room, Caicoli, this Thursday.
During the celebration, Mathur also expressed his appreciation to the midwives in Timor-Leste who have worked hard in providing maternity services for pregnant women, adding that WHO hopes to support the Ministry of Health in particular in the Midwifery department.
“WHO is committed to supporting the Minister of Health through midwives by providing capacity building to reduce the mortality rate for newborns and pregnant women,”
UNFPA country representative Lorna Rolls said UNFPA had been working with the national midwifery association (APTL) since the association was founded 20 years ago.
“We strongly believe that strong midwifery associations are the basis for developing strong, supportive, and positive relationships among midwives and between midwifery professionals and other stakeholders such as governments, development partners, and other health professionals,” she said.
“UNFPA observes that the APTL is progressing well in Timor-Leste. More ongoing support for midwives is needed. We are pleased to ensure that midwives from APTL can attend several international confederations of midwife congresses,”
Doctor Lidia Gomes of the Timor-Leste Midwives Association, said Timor-Leste is one of the International Confederations of Midwives (ICM) that is showing positive progress through their skills and dedication.
“Progress shows that in the preview years the maternity rate reduce from 525 to 218 out of 100,000 pregnant women,” She said.
Gomes said 822 midwives were assigned to health facilities across the country, including the referral and Guido Valadares National Hospital.
Based on the Ministry of Health’s 2030 strategy, the Ministry of Health will place two midwives, two nurses, and one doctor, as well as other staff in each village.
“There are 442 villages across the country and more than 800 are needed to respond to this strategic plan. So far 1,016 students are studying in the midwifery department at UNTL. We make sure they can become the new generation of midwives to save people’s lives, especially for mothers and newborns,” she concluded
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges
