While we acknowledge the significant efforts that have led to the decrease of maternal

mortality in Timor-Leste between 1990 and 2015 according to the evaluation of the

Millennium Development Goal on improving maternal health, we all know that the task is

far from being finished, and more efforts are needed in the next fifteen years to further

decrease it along with our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In the Year 2015, Ministry of Health undertook an Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn

Care (EmONC) Needs Assessment Covering all Community Health Centres, five Referral

Hospitals, National Hospital (HNGV) and two private facilities.    

Subsequently, the EmONC Improvement Plan of Action for the period of 2016-2019 was

developed in order to address the gaps and deficiencies identified in the EmONC Needs 

assessment. This Plan of Action is in line with the Health Sector Development plan and 

once implemented will further accelerate the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality

and morbidity in Timor-Leste. 

This report present the cost of the implementation of the EmONC Improvement Plan of

Action by different components on an annual basis; Cost of new infrastructure additions, 

Costs involved in upgrading of existing  health facilities, Cost of remunerating newly

assigned health staff, Cost of purchasing and distribution (logistics) of drugs and supplies

required by the additional patients (pregnant mothers and newborns) presenting to

BEmONC and CEmONC facilities resulting from improvement plans of actions and the

cost of the program management.  

We are very thankful to UNFPA and WHO for the excellent technical support provided in

development of this document. 

I like to urge all relevant health staff and stakeholders including Development partners

to study this report and to contribute to the successful implementation of the EmONC

Improvement Plan of Action from the first to the fourth year.