Government of Timor-Leste

The Ministry of Health has cooperated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to celebrate the World Health Day, in Dili, on April 7^th, 2016. The theme of this event was the “Prevention and control of diabetes in Timor-Leste”.

The Minister of Health, Maria do Céu Pina Sarmento, stated that Timor-Leste has adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a Government resolution and according to the ruling of the Prime-Minister no. 38, a working group has already been set up for SDGs, involving all relevant bodies and directorates of all ministries.

Timor-Leste has become a member of the UN High Level Panel, together with other Nations, including Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Liberia, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania and Tunisia. These countries are adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, composed of 17 SDG, which will guide the activities of the international community over the next 15 years.m

The Minister said that Goal 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” and hopes that by 2030 all nations have reduced premature mortality, namely through diabetes prevention and treatment.

The World Health Organization representative, Dr. Rajesh Pandav, emphasized that, according to the first global WHO report on Diabetes in 1980, the number of people suffering from the disease has increased fourfold.

The Diabetes consequences are felt not only at the individual level, but also within the community and the family and at the national economy level. “Diabetes is a disease characterized by higher blood glucose levels. Most people have type 2 diabetes, caused by the lack of a healthy diet and physical activity. Nowadays, one in three adults is in serious conditions and more than one out of 10 people is obese,” said Minister Maria do Céu Pina Sarmento.

Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and adolescents, who “need to take insulin every day in order to survive”, added the Minister.