The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) awarded $4.9 million to the Ministry of Health (MH) to establish a maternity center in the administrative post of Hatu-Builico, in Ainaro municipality, to provide health care services to new-borns and pregnant women.
The National Director for Policy Planning and Cooperation (NDPPC), at the Ministry of Health, Ivo Irineu da Conceição Freitas said the agreement for funding between MS and KOICA focuses on maternal and children health in remote areas.
“It’s for three years and the budget allocation was of $4.9 million for the construction, for facilities and for setting up equipments at the maternity centre,” said Director Conceição after signing the agreement with KOIKA at the Ministry of Health, in Kaikoli, Dili.
He said it’s very important to treat the pregnant women and the children in the remote areas.”Providing a better care for the pregnant women and the children in remote areas is important because we already know the roads are damaged and those areas and the communities live in the mountaintops,” he said.
Meanwhile the Head of Department of the Maternal and Childr Health at the Ministry of Health, Doctor Triana Oliveira said Hauteo area in Hatu-Builico administrative post, in the municipality of Ainaro is very important because many in the community need to have access to a maternity centre.
“We are pleased with the support received from the KOREAN agency towards a safe maternity centre,” she said.
Apart from the assistance with funds, KOICA also provides training for health personnel in Ainaro municipality and provides technical assistance to improve the communities’ involvement in the maternal and children health services added Dr. Triana.
She added that it’s not just providing the treatment but working with the mothers by supporting groups in the suku and to the community leaders by raising awareness about the importance of safe maternal and new-born health care.
