Government of Japan and NGO SHARE handed over a boat to Ministry of Health to improve healthcare access in Atauro Municipality
2022/4/25
Group Photo
Signing between the Minister of Health and Country Representative of NGO SHARE
Staff who will conduct and maintain the boat
On April 25, 2022, an agreement was signed between H.E. Dr. Odette Maria Freitas Belo, Minister of Health, and Mr. Shutaro SUNAI, Country Representative of Japanese NGO SHARE to hand over a boat which will assist the mobile clinic and other health care service activities in Atauro Municipality. The signing was witnessed by Mr. Masami KINEFUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste.
The Government of Japan provided approximately US$1.5 million in grant to NGO SHARE to carry out the three-year project, “The project for strengthening primary health care service delivery through community participation”, launched in 2019, targeting the remote areas in Metinaro and Atauro, where people have limited access to health care services. One of the challenges in Atauro Municipality is that some parts of the Municipality can only be accessed from the shore. Thus, as a part of the project, a US$ 52,663.84 boat was handed over today to improve the situation in 12 thousand people of Atauro Municipality.
The Government of Japan and SHARE introduced the boat in Atauro and started to support the health service delivery using the boat in 2020. Since then, the delivery of vaccine to all health centers became easier and infant vaccination rate that contains BCG, 5-combined vaccination, and measles vaccination in Atauro increased from 46% to 77%. Moreover, people living in the coastal areas of Atauro, who had no access to a mobile clinic before currently receive monthly health checkups.
The Government of Japan provided approximately US$1.5 million in grant to NGO SHARE to carry out the three-year project, “The project for strengthening primary health care service delivery through community participation”, launched in 2019, targeting the remote areas in Metinaro and Atauro, where people have limited access to health care services. One of the challenges in Atauro Municipality is that some parts of the Municipality can only be accessed from the shore. Thus, as a part of the project, a US$ 52,663.84 boat was handed over today to improve the situation in 12 thousand people of Atauro Municipality.
The Government of Japan and SHARE introduced the boat in Atauro and started to support the health service delivery using the boat in 2020. Since then, the delivery of vaccine to all health centers became easier and infant vaccination rate that contains BCG, 5-combined vaccination, and measles vaccination in Atauro increased from 46% to 77%. Moreover, people living in the coastal areas of Atauro, who had no access to a mobile clinic before currently receive monthly health checkups.
Ambassador is giving a speech
This project also provides support to the Ministry of Health for sustainable and effective use of the boat. Trainings on its daily maintenance have already been conducted several times by Japanese and Timorese experts and a maintenance manual created by the project team will be handed over during the project period.
Ambassador KINEFUCHI acknowledged the efforts delivered by concerned parties in the project and assured that the boat will contribute to alleviating healthcare related difficulties in Atauro, and said, “I strongly hope that the boat will be used with good care and maintenance for a long time in accordance with the guidelines, bringing benefits to the residents in Atauro especially to children for whom basic vaccination is very important for a heathy life.” Ambassador also congratulated on Timor-Leste’s 20 years anniversary of the restoration of independence, and of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Timor-Leste and concluded his speech by saying, “As Ambassador of Japan, I reiterate our commitment to further development of our amicable relations and to our continued support for the nation building of Timor-Leste and welfare of its people. ”
Ambassador KINEFUCHI acknowledged the efforts delivered by concerned parties in the project and assured that the boat will contribute to alleviating healthcare related difficulties in Atauro, and said, “I strongly hope that the boat will be used with good care and maintenance for a long time in accordance with the guidelines, bringing benefits to the residents in Atauro especially to children for whom basic vaccination is very important for a heathy life.” Ambassador also congratulated on Timor-Leste’s 20 years anniversary of the restoration of independence, and of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Timor-Leste and concluded his speech by saying, “As Ambassador of Japan, I reiterate our commitment to further development of our amicable relations and to our continued support for the nation building of Timor-Leste and welfare of its people. ”