Ministry of Health, UNFPA and the Government of Japan join forces to improve maternal and new-born healthcare facilities
On March 6, 2024, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Government of Japan and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched an initiative to strengthen maternal and new-born health care in 20 Community Health Centres spread across 12 municipalities. 
During the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, and the UNFPA Acting Representative in Timor, Domingas Bernardo, signed an exchange of notes for the Project to Improve Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Facilities in Community Health Centres. 
The project, funded by Japan at US$7.5 million, aims to modernise 20 Community Health Centres and strengthen the primary health care system to improve the quality of maternal and neonatal health care in 12 municipalities. This initiative aims to drastically reduce maternal mortality and improve the lives of 117,620 women of reproductive age and approximately 20,618 pregnant women every year.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, and the Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health, José dos Reis Magno.
