Have you ever stopped to think about how many infectious diseases are easily prevented by staying up to date with immunisations? For many of us, vaccines are readily available, but for many Timorese communities, limited access can put entire regions at risk.
This is particularly true for those living in Timor-Leste’s remote or underserved areas, where access to healthcare services remains constrained by geography or socioeconomic status.
At Maluk Timor, we’re working hand in hand with key Timor-Leste healthcare providers and organisations to support and strengthen immunisation programs that can keep Timorese people safe from preventable infectious diseases. Through increased access to vaccination programs, healthcare education initiatives and critical healthcare worker support, we’re able to make a significant difference in many of Timor-Leste’s vulnerable communities.
This April marks Immunisation Action Week, a national awareness week that’s focused on highlighting just how important vaccines are (especially in a post-pandemic world). We’re taking this opportunity to highlight how we’re working in collaboration with other Timorese health organisations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in Timor-Leste through immunisation access.
Why immunisation plays such a key role in Timor-Leste’s healthcare system
In comparison to many first-world countries, Timor-Leste has a complex set of challenges that directly impact how its residents are able to access critical vaccines. Harsh geographical terrain, remote villages, limited transport options and shortages in healthcare workers mean many Timorese people simply haven’t been able to access critical vaccines at different time intervals. Pair this with gaps in immunisation literacy across both Timor-Leste’s communities and, at times, healthcare workers, and you have an environment where diseases which are preventable by vaccine can run rampant.
Vaccines are also crucial in protecting the wider community, reducing the risk of infectious diseases spreading between families, friends and neighbours. Without these vaccines in place, too many Timorese residents are impacted by preventable diseases, including measles and TB. That’s why access to vaccines, immunisation strategies and preventable care are such a key focus for Maluk Timor – without them, too many vulnerable people across the country face complex health challenges that are entirely preventable in our modern age.
Maluk Timor’s immunisation support
As with many of our healthcare initiatives, we take a holistic approach to improving access to key vaccines across Timor-Leste. 2024 saw us implementing the Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI) on behalf of the Australian Government’s Partnership for Human Development program. This saw us distributing over 500 pieces of medical equipment that directly improved access to healthcare and vaccine services for residents in Dili, Ermera, and Oecusse municipalities in Timor-Leste.
We’ve also worked alongside our Ministry of Health partners to deliver key vaccines against measles, rubella and polio, with a 95% coverage goal for Timorese children aged 0-5 years old.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maluk Timor staff played a critical role in delivering essential vaccine training to healthcare providers throughout Timor-Leste, as well as providing them with the vaccine itself. This integral care helped to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in many vulnerable Timorese communities. By actively working alongside local government institutions, we were able to mobilise the roll-out of a crucial vaccine program across Dili in a rapid COVID-19 response.
Alongside these direct responses, our Continuing Professional Development in Integrated Primary Health Care (CPD-IPHC) program, which was developed in collaboration with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, plays a critical role in building the skills and abilities of local healthcare workers. By improving the capabilities of Timor-Leste’s healthcare force, we’re able to see ongoing improvements in the areas of vaccines, immunisations and preventative healthcare measures. With programs including improvements in digital literacy, the development of primary care curriculum, direct upskilling of trainers and increased staff development measures, Maluk Timor continues to invest in the future of Timor-Leste’s healthcare infrastructure.
Looking to the future
We’ve got a long road ahead of us when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases throughout Timor-Leste with critical immunisation care. Our family of global supporters provide the support needed to change the lives of many Timor-Leste families and communities through this crucial work, bringing preventative healthcare to remote, rural, and underserved regions across the country, as well as its main municipal hubs. We can’t do it without your help. Even a small monthly donation can make a radical difference when it comes to fighting preventable disease throughout Timor-Leste.
This Immunisation Action Week, you’re invited to join the fight against infectious diseases in this growing country, bringing hope for the future to Timorese people. Access to vaccines is one small, powerful and life-changing way to turn the tide on the spread of infectious diseases, and we’re committed to the fight every day of the year!