The Government of Timor-Leste Launched National Family Planning Campaign to Promote 3-Year Birth Spacing for Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality
Dili, 25 October 2024 – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Health, officially launched the National Family Planning Campaign with the goal of promoting 3-year birth spacing to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. This campaign is being carried out with technical and financial support from UNFPA and funding from the Government of Japan. The campaign's theme, “3-year Birth Space is Good for me, good for the Family, the Community, and the Nation,” emphasizes the broad health and societal benefits of spacing births by three years.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency José dos Reis Magno, Vice-Minister for Institutional Health Strengthening, stressed the alarming mortality rates in Timor-Leste, stating that they are the highest in Asia. He emphasized that the 3-year birth spacing strategy could play a critical role in addressing this challenge and reducing both maternal and infant deaths.
He said according to Data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey shows that our maternal mortality rate is 195 per 100,000 live births, our neonatal mortality rate is 52 per 1,000 live births, and the mortality rate for children under five is 41 per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the unmet need for contraception is at 25%, and according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, our adolescent birth rate stands at 4.9%, particularly among those with low educational levels and in remote areas.
The Vice-Minister also emphasized the importance of providing space for up to three years could further reduce neonatal mortality by 25%, further improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, expressed Japan’s continued support for Timor-Leste’s health sector, particularly maternal and child health initiatives. "Improving maternal health is one of the most important factors in ensuring child survival and growth. Japan has been committed to these efforts in Timor-Leste since 2002, and we believe that reducing maternal mortality will greatly improve the future of this country," said Ambassador Kimura.
Bruce Campbell, UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, highlighted that global evidence demonstrates the significant impact that adequate birth spacing has on reducing both maternal and infant mortality. "Babies born after a 3-year gap are more likely to thrive, receive better nutrition, and achieve better educational outcomes. Promoting birth spacing is not just about health, but about investing in a brighter future for mothers, children, and communities," Campbell stated.
He also pointed to research showing that if all women waited at least 24 months after one birth before becoming pregnant again, under-five mortality would fall by 13%. With a 36-month interval, under-five mortality would drop by 25%**. Globally, if all birth intervals were at least 36 months, 1.8 million child deaths could be prevented annually.
UNFPA, with the support of the Government of Japan and other partners, will continue to assist the Ministry of Health in empowering women and couples to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
