Inauguration Ceremony of the Construction of Guisarudu Health Centre Maternity Building at Fatobolo, Hatolia B, Ermera Municipality
2021/12/17
Ambassador signing the plaque
Guisarudu Health Centre Maternity Building
Traditional welcoming ceremony
The inauguration ceremony of Guisarudu Health Centre Maternity Building took place in Guisarudu area, Fatobolo village, Hatolia B district, Ermera municipality on December 17, 2021. The Government of Japan is funding about USD$1.5 million to the project “Improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) in Ermera Municipality” and the Japanese NGO Frontline is implementing this project. The project aims to increase access to high-quality RMNCH service and to improve maternal and child health in Ermera municipality. As the first step in this 3-year project, Maternity Building at Guisarudu Health Centre was constructed.
In Timor-Leste, the current estimate of maternal mortality ratio is 2.15 per 1,000 live births and stillbirth rate is 18 per 1,000 total births respectively. The number of deaths in Ermera municipality is higher than other municipalities and most deaths occur in rural areas. These deaths can be avoided if skilled health workers assist their pregnancy and delivery. Through the construction of the maternity health centre in Guisarudu, more than 600 women are expected to be able to deliver at the maternity building yearly, and the lives of mothers and newborns in Hatolia B district will be improved.
Ambassador giving speech
At the ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, Mr. KINEFUCHI Masami said, "Congratulations on the completion of the construction of Guisarudu Maternity Health Centre! The construction of this Center is a part of the 3-year project worth about $1.5 million in total. It is all funded by Japanese people and implemented by a Japanese NGO, Frontline. ・・・Healthy mothers and healthy children are the key factor for development and they will bring happiness to the community. This is how we can create better future for all.・・・As a true friend, Japan will continue to support the people of Ermera and the development of this young nation. Let us walk together to brighten the future of Timor-Leste.".
Ms. NAKAJIMA Kayono, Country Representative of Frontline, highlighted “Building maternity health centre does not directly reduce preventable maternal deaths and stillbirths. The community’s effort is the key to receive consistent care such as antenatal care, delivery with health workers, and postnatal care. This project also supports health workers to improve their capacity. We hope this project will provide effective and efficient care for mothers and newborns. I hope Guisarudu maternity health centre will serve as a model of maternity health centre for Timor -Leste and will be used by all pregnant women and babies in this area.”
The Guisarudu Health Centre Maternity Building was inaugurated by Mr. KINEFUCHI Masami, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, and H.E. Mr. Marcelo Amaral, Director General, Ministry of Health. The event was also attended by Mr. Eusébio Salsinha, the President Authority of Ermera Municipality, and Mr. Antonio de Deus Fatima, the Director of District Health Services of Ermera.