Dili: June — In a nation where health data is often sparse and fragmented, the municipality of Lautem is quietly rewriting the script.
This year, Lautem became the first in Timor-Leste to complete nearly 100% data entry for the inaugural phase of the School-based Primary Health Care Package (PHCP)—a first-of-its kind initiative that bridges the health and education systems. Through on-campus screenings, the programme identifies issues such as growth delays, vision and hearing impairments, and skin and oral health concerns. The goal is to connect children to care before problems grow more serious.
PHCP is part of the broader ‘Say No to 5S’ campaign, which aims to reach nearly 300,000 children across nearly 1,250 schools in Timor-Leste, to address malnutrition and preventable illnesses. Though launched simultaneously in Aileu, Dili, and Liquica, it was Lautem—on Timor-Leste’s eastern tip—that led the way by completing data entry for all 15,399 students screened, including 7,709 girls and nearly as many boys.
Child undergoes oral inspection at Vatu Vou school
“This data matters because it gives Timor-Leste its first clear picture of what’s affecting children’s health, and the findings are eye-opening,” said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative. “This information can inform policy, drive interventions tailored to local needs, and crucially, improve lives.”
Lautem’s data reveals that nearly 80% of children screened showed signs of oral health issues, making it the most common concern. Growth and nutrition-related problems followed, affecting one in four children. While 76% had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), 15% were underweight and 4% severely underweight. Obesity, though still limited, is emerging: 1% were obese and 4% were overweight. The screening also revealed that 4% of students had skin problems including scabies, yaws and leprosy. Equally alarming is the fact that 1% of children are already exposed to smoking and alcohol.
DHS Director Alfredo Jorge from Lautem shared the story behind the municipality’s success at a recent dissemination workshop in Dili, organized by WHO and attended by officials from both the Ministries of Health and Education. He credited the achievement to strong community spirit and trust in the programme.
“Importantly, there was no resistance, as families understood the importance of these screenings for their children’s health,” he said, adding 108 teachers and 82 health workers were oriented within the municipality. According to him, coordination between Municipal Health Service, Directorate of Ministry of Education and representatives from the Ministry of State Administration were key drivers of accurate data gathering and timely reporting.
Mr Alfredo shared a powerful anecdote of how the screenings are already making a difference in Lautem schools. “Children found to have poor vision were simply moved to the front of the classroom. Just like that, they could see the blackboard better,” he told the audience at the workshop. The screenings also revealed colour blindness in 46 children.
DHS Director Alfredo Jorge of Lautem shares the story behind the municipality’s success at a dissemination workshop in Dili on June 9.
Dr Benedito M Dos Santos, Director of Ainaro health municipality, credited strong communication as a critical success factor. He highlighted the use of a dedicated WhatsApp group that included key local officials—from the Director of Municipality Health and Education to the municipal head, teachers, and health workers. “Even the slightest hiccup—like a vehicle breakdown—would be shared instantly,” he said. “It kept everyone alert and enabled a smooth, coordinated rollout.”
Dr Benedito M Dos Santos, Director of Ainaro health municipality, credited strong communication as a critical factor.
At the dissemination workshop, officials spoke of several on-ground challenges. For instance, BMI calculations proved unfamiliar to many teachers, who required hands-on guidance from health workers to calculate it. In certain areas, flooding damaged critical forms (B1, B2, and B3). Administrative setbacks also surfaced— several trained health workers saw their contracts end just as implementation began.
Transportation and staffing sometimes posed as challenges too. For instance, each screening team aims to cover 50 students a day with a doctor, nurse or midwife, and two teachers. However, if even one person is absent, the entire day’s plan can be thrown off, though quick replacements are arranged whenever possible, stated Mr Alfredo.
Despite these setbacks, the programme has already impacted thousands of children, with many referred for follow-up care. With the Korea International Cooperation Agency’s (KOICA) $7.8 million backing, the programme is poised to transform health access for thousands of children.
The SN5S project was launched in March 2022 and is expected to run through June 2026 with a powerful promise that no child should fall through the cracks simply because no one was looking.