About us
Who we are
Welcome to the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting global health. Our Timor-Leste office is one of 11 country offices under the agency's South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and has been operating since 1999. Our team comprises a diverse group of national and international staff and consultants who collaborate closely with the government and other partners. We receive continuous support from SEARO as well as the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
What we do
Our work focuses on collaborating with the Timorese government and other partners to develop and implement health programs that address a range of issues. From integrated disease surveillance to capacity building, risk communication, emergency preparedness, and response, we work closely with the government to tackle health challenges on multiple fronts, by leveraging our expertise and resources.
Through advocacy and support for health-promoting policies, sustainable development of health systems, and targeted health programs, we aim to reduce the burden of diseases and improve health conditions for all Timorese people. Ultimately, our work also contributes to poverty alleviation and gender equity, in line with Timor-Leste's national health development goals. We are proud to serve Timor-Leste and look forward to continuing our important work towards a healthier, more equitable future.
Our vision and mission
The founding vision of WHO is a world in which all people attain the highest possible standard of health and well-being. The WHO mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with a commitment to human rights, universality and equity, based on the principles espoused in the WHO Constitution.
Core functions of WHO include: providing leadership on matters crucial to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed; shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation; articulating ethical and evidence- based policy options; providing technical support to catalyse changes; building sustainable institutional capacity; and monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.
Our Priorities
WHO’s general programme of work (GPW) sets medium-term priorities and strategies of the Organization. The World Health Assembly in May 2018 is expected to approve the 13th general programme of work, covering the period 2019–2023. It encompasses a set of three interconnected strategic priorities, strategic shifts and organizational shifts, as well as 10 outcomes to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The three strategic priorities are:
- Universal health coverage: 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage
- Health emergencies: 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies
- Healthier populations: 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being
History
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is situated on the eastern part of the island of Timor, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. The enclave of Oecussi in the western part of Timor Island and the islands of Atauro and Jaco are also part of DRTL. It is bordered by the Wetar Strait to the north and Timor Sea to the south. The western half of Timor Island belongs to the Republic of Indonesia and is part of East Nusa Tenggara province.
Timor-Leste was under the rule of Portugal until 1975 when it was occupied by Indonesia. After 24 years of Indonesian occupation, the people of Timor-Leste voted overwhelmingly for independence on 30 August 1999. The territory was subsequently placed under the administration of the International Force of the United Nations, in consultation with East Timorese, established a transitional government in July 2000, and a Constituent Assembly was elected in August 2001. The Assembly wrote the country’s first Constitution. After the Presidential Election was held in April 2002, Timor-Leste formally became an independent nation on 20 May 2002. In the same year it also became a member of United Nations (UN) and many UN Agencies including the World Health Organization. The country was also formally assigned to the WHO South-East Asia Region at the 56th World Health Assembly in May 2003.
WHO was involved in Timor-Leste soon after separation from Indonesia and has had an office in Dili since October 1999. The violence that followed separation led to the destruction of much of the health infrastructure and the withdrawal of many health providers. Since that time, WHO, along with other international community, has assisted Timor-Leste in re-establishing its health system and developing new health policies for the country.
During the emergency period, WHO played a key role in the coordination of health services provided by a large number of donors and NGOs. WHO played an important role in implementing key programmes in the country, most notably infectious disease control (malaria, TB and leprosy), improved health services for children, maternal health and clinical nursing care. The work of WHO, in many of these programme areas, was supported by donor funding.
Contact WHO
WHO TIMOR-LESTE
WHO Country Office for Timor-Leste
United Nations House
Caicoli street, Dili, Timor-Leste
Contact
Telephone : (+670) 3310968
E-mail: wcotimorleste@who.int
Ministry of Health
Ministerio da Saude Timor Leste.
Edifcio dos Servisos Centrais do Ministrio da Saude, Rua de Caicoli, Caixa Postal 374, Dili, Timor-Leste.
Contact
Telephone : (+670) 3310968
Website: https://ms.gov.tl/
https://apps.ms.gov.tl
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