Dili, August 11, 2023 – UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, handed over 70,000 syphilis and HIV combo rapid test kits to the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Health and Timor-Leste Medical and Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (SAMES).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Pressia Arifin-Cabo, UNFPA Country Representative in Timor-Leste emphasized UNFPA’s commitment to support the Ministry of Health in the prevention and detection of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Timor-Leste. 

“These kits will help boost the testing capacity of the HIV and STIs prevention programme for key population in Díli, Baucau, Covalima, Bobonaro and Oecusse, supported by UNFPA and implemented by Associação Comunidade Progresso (KP), as well as to ensure blood safety, and screening of pregnant women during antenatal care visits,” said Pressia Arifin-Cabo at SAMES offices in Dili.

This comes at a time when according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of HIV in Timor-Leste increased tenfold among pregnant women and STI clinic attendees in only 5 years.

“We particularly appreciate the efforts made by the Ministry of Health towards the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis, and hope these tests can be utilized to further strengthen those efforts, in line with the existing antenatal care (ANC) protocols,” added Pressia Arifin-Cabo.

In recognizing the strong partnership between UNFPA and SAMES, Mr. Santana Martins, Executive Director of SAMES observed: “The procurement of the 70,000 HIV and syphilis test kits represents a very important contribution of UNFPA to the Ministry of Health, and will boost the capacity of our health professionals to detect both HIV and syphilis and improve the health outcomes in Timor-Leste.” 

Dr. Frederico Bosco dos Santos, Technical-Scientific Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Timor-Leste also recognized UNFPA’s role in training health professionals in the country.

“I would like to express my appreciation to UNFPA for building the capacity of our health professionals and contributing to strengthening our health systems,” said Dr. Frederico dos Santos.

Since 2003, UNFPA has supported the Government of Timor-Leste with the procurement of sexual and reproductive health commodities – including procurement of contraceptives, medical equipment and maternal health medicines.

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

Mobile: +670 75169796

Email; okoth@unfpa.org