Hon. Vice Minister for Health speech on World Health Day, Dili Convention Centre, April 8 2014

World Health Day
Dili Convention Centre

First of all, on behalf the ministry of health, I would like to thank you to all of you for all your contributions to make this important event happen.

World health day 2014 theme is vector borne diseases; small  bite big treat. World health day is celebrated on April 7 every year to mark founding of WHO in 1948.

Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from an infected human (or Animal) to another human being. They are most commonly found in tropical areas and places where access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation hampered.

At this moment provides an opportunity for individual in every community to engage in various activities, in other to have better awareness and understanding, encourage families to take better action to protect themselves from these kind of diseases.

In Timor-Leste, we are still facing challenges for three vectors borne diseases, Malaria, Dengue and Lymphatic filariasis.

Data showed that the incidence rate of malaria is less than 1 per 1000 population, 540 dengue cases till last Friday and 17.5 % of lymphatic filariasis zero prevalence rates.

In recent years, a new commitment from the Health Department, regional and global initiatives with the support from foundations, United Nations, non-government organizations, private sector and scientific community, has helped to reduce significantly the incidence and mortality rates.

In closing, I would like to emphasize that working together is very essential in making the Timorese people healthier in every single aspects of life (Health, Economic, education, etc).

Thank you very much.