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Health Stream Recommendations

The Conference heard a comprehensive presentation from the Minister forHealth, Dr Nelson Martins, who used Millennium Development Goals No. 4,Reduce Child Mortality, No. 5 Reduce Maternal Mortality, and No. 6 Reduce

the spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs, Tuberculosis and Malaria to discuss Timor-Lentes progress in health over the last ten years. Some progress has beenmade since Timor-Leste achieved independence, but on many of these goalsthere is a long way to go. The Millennium Development Goals provide someuseful markers which can be used to measure success in various areas, but theywill only be achieved with the co-operation of the whole community.

While good policy is important, good health for Timorese is not just theresponsibility of the Health Ministry. It will only be achieved with the participationof all citizens, educational institutions, civil society, the agricultural system, thetrading system and many other parts of society. Other important factors are:-

role of the family and community in decision to seek health care

persistence of various cultural beliefs, attitudes and practices

how community members assess quality of health care

influence of hearsay or other peoples experiences negative and positive

Recommendations to the Government

The media, in particular Radio and Television, could be used more effectively to

promote healthy lifestyles, in particular in fields such as nutrition, hand washing,breastfeeding, dental health, alcohol and drug dependence (including tobaccocontrol) traffic safety and occupational health and safety.

Planning, funding and promotion is needed to encourage householders, bothurban and rural, to develop food gardens close to the house which will contributeto improving family nutrition.

Recommendations on reduction of alcohol abuse

Clinics and PNTL to keep statistics on numbers of cases attended tothat are alcohol related.

Laws need to be drafted that regulate alcohol selling and alcohol levelsin locally produced alcohol (tua sabuand tua mutin)

Civic education campaigns in the community about alcoholconsumption and dangers

Campaigns against drink driving on Television, introduction ofbreathalyzers

Laws regulating children selling or consuming alcohol

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Re-evaluate how Health Promotion is conducted in Timor-Leste, improve adulteducation knowledge of Family Health Promoters.

Promote more widely the objectives and methods of SISCa, the integratedcommunity health service delivery program.

Implement the World Health Organizations Code of Conduct on the marketing ofbreast milk substitutes.

Implement the World Health Organizations Framework Convention on TobaccoControl.

Promote through the education system, better knowledge of sexual andreproductive health to prevent HIV Aid, and other diseases

Stress the importance of trained birth attendants being at as many deliveries as

possible.