Timor-Leste: a primary health care case study in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
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World Health Organization
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vi, 29 p.
This case study analyses Timor-Leste’s primary health care (PHC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and October 2021, using the Astana Declaration framework of primary care, multisectoral collaboration and community engagement. It examines the development of the country’s PHC system since independence, including governance structures, financing mechanisms, community-based programmes and essential public health functions. The study describes how Timor-Leste established independent emergency coordination structures, mobilized domestic and external resources, expanded laboratory and surveillance capacity, implemented testing, treatment and contact tracing strategies, and introduced COVID-19 vaccination and infection prevention measures. The report also reviews the continuity of essential health services during the pandemic, including workforce recruitment, referral systems and medicine supply management. It highlights the role of multisectoral coordination, donor support and community initiatives such as SISCa and Saude na Familia in strengthening local engagement and service delivery. The study concludes that PHC-oriented approaches, combined with strong political leadership and community participation, supported Timor-Leste’s response to COVID-19, while also exposing ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, workforce capacity and social and economic vulnerability.
This case study analyses Timor-Leste’s primary health care (PHC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and October 2021, using the Astana Declaration framework of primary care, multisectoral collaboration and community engagement. It examines the development of the country’s PHC system since independence, including governance structures, financing mechanisms, community-based programmes and essential public health functions. The study describes how Timor-Leste established independent emergency coordination structures, mobilized domestic and external resources, expanded laboratory and surveillance capacity, implemented testing, treatment and contact tracing strategies, and introduced COVID-19 vaccination and infection prevention measures. The report also reviews the continuity of essential health services during the pandemic, including workforce recruitment, referral systems and medicine supply management. It highlights the role of multisectoral coordination, donor support and community initiatives such as SISCa and Saude na Familia in strengthening local engagement and service delivery. The study concludes that PHC-oriented approaches, combined with strong political leadership and community participation, supported Timor-Leste’s response to COVID-19, while also exposing ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, workforce capacity and social and economic vulnerability.