EAST-TIMOR

East-Timor became independent on May, 20th 2002, and is at present on its way to recover after the destroying violenceof1999. There are improvements in economic area and governments- and health structures have been built, but the problems have not yet been solved.Forinstance, East-Timor needs support for the rebuilding of the infrastructure. The country is not receiving emergency aid anymore and the situation yet proves not to be stable enough for development cooperation. Thehealthcare is yet difficult to access and badly organized. There is a large shortage of doctors and technical expertise.

Programmes

Health Care Development

The Ministry of Health urged HealthNet TPO and Cordaid to contribute to the rebuilding of the health care systems in East-Timor.Thefirst joint programme of HealthNet TPO and Cordaid started in 2002. The most important objectives were the capacity buildingofthe health care workers of the Dili National hospital, the development of the īGeneral Practitioner Plusī-programmeand the set up of counseling and test service for HIV/Aids.

Furthermore HealthNet TPO contributed to the development of sustainable elementary health carefacilitiesin the Liquica and Bobonaro districts and supplied the hospital in Maliana of clinical and administrative personnel. Since 2003 Cordaid handed over fully the activities in East-Timor to HealthNet TPO.

Disease Control

Malaria is one of the most important causes of death in East-Timor andstands,besides the human suffering it impairs, the more far-reaching development of the country in the way. The Ministry of Health asked HealthNet TPO to conduct two research studies concerning the reduction of malariainEast-Timor: a study into the effectiveness of mosquito nets sprayed with insecticide and a study into durable methods of distribution and applicabilityofthese nets at national level. The strategies which Healthnet TPO developed for the social marketing of mosquito nets are incorporatedinthe existing health structures.