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SINCE 2022

Timor-Leste

Taking the first steps to introducing palliative care

country updates

It is early days, but the support from the local team means we can potentially create a network to care for patients at home while offering specialist care in the national hospital for more complex cases.
Dr Sylvia McCarthy
Medical Director, Hospis Malaysia

Our IMpact

28

Participants

trained in palliative care services​

8

Institutions

involved in palliative care training​

During the inaugural training workshop held in Timor-Leste in April 2023, participants visited a palliative care ward at Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) to apply what they learnt in a real world setting.

Having gained its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste is the youngest country in Southeast Asia. However, it has already established a need for palliative care. In 2022, the country’s largest hospital, the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV), set up a palliative care ward and reached out to Lien Collab to initiate a training programme.

It led to our inaugural palliative care workshop for healthcare professionals in Timor-Leste. Over four days in April 2023, our team of four international faculty trained some 29 participants from 8 organisations across the country. This included several situated in remote districts, which required some participants to travel nearly four hours to attend the training.

Participants during the workshop.

As Timor-Leste has two official languages, Portuguese and Tetum, as well as two working languages, English and Indonesian, Dr Andre Belo from Saúde Ba Ema Hotu (SABEH) kindly volunteered to translate the proceedings from English to the local languages. This ensured a more inclusive and accessible learning experience for all.

During the workshop, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by the Timorese Minister of Health, Dr Odete Freitas Belo, to collaborate with APHN on advancing the development of human resources and capacity building for palliative care services in the country.

Dr Belo (left) and Sister Joan Ryan (right) during the workshop.

On the Ground

Key Achievements​
  • Hospital Lahane is set to become the first of three palliative care centers in Timor-Leste, reflecting the Ministry of Health’s commitment to enhancing quality of life.
  • The Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste recognises palliative care as a key component of its healthcare system.
  • Palliative care services are being developed at HNGV and extended into community health centers.
  • Collaboration with international experts and local institutions is driving sustainable palliative care development.
The programme’s country lead is:

Dr Sylvia McCarthy (Malaysia)

Supported by:
  • Dr. Dipti Mittal (Australia)
  • Dr. Ann Toh (Singapore)
  • Ms. Rachel Stephen (Malaysia)
  • Ms. Joan Ryan (Australia)
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Bringing Relief to Asia Together

Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care (Lien Collab) draws on philanthropy, health institutions, palliative care service providers, individuals and more to strengthen leadership and capacity in bringing pain relief to all.

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