Ben and Sally volunteering in Timor-Leste

Maliana Hospital, Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste’s Health Policy Framework identifies maternal and child heath as a national priority.  In 2005, it was estimated that Timor-Leste had an infant mortality rate of 61 and a maternal mortality rate of 4 in every 1,000 live births.  Australia’s statistics stand at 6 and 0.04 respectively.

These dramatic figures, represent progress from the levels prior to independence.  It is apparent though, that rural women and infants are still at a higher risk  of mortality than those in the cities.  These are statistics which are easily improved with training in maternal health and midwifery.

Maliana is the capital of Bobonaro district and is 4-5 hours drive South-West of Dili.  Its hospital is responsible for providing care and health education for one of Timor-Leste’s poorest districts.

Palms Australia received a request from the Rotary Club of Morialta, in partnership with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, for two volunteers to work in partnership with Rotary and the Ministry of Health to improve the health services available to the people of Maliana.

Ben and Sally

Palms Australia recruited Sally Johnson and Ben Kildea to meet this request.

Sally will supervise and implement activities at community health centres (CHC), health posts (HP) and community settings, in the training of local midwifes and other staff in involved in the provision of safe motherhood services. She will also assist in upgrading CHCs and HPs for maternal health and develop capacity for health education and health promotion initiatives.

Ben will assist and support Sally with her duties including coordinating training activities and will manage project infrastructure development, including the building of delivery suites.  This project will serve to both employ and train local labourers as well as ensure safe delivery is available to the women of Bobonaro.  Ben will also assist in many other areas such as managing assets and relationships between Rotary, the Ministry of Health, hospital staff and the local community.