On 13-15 February 2024, H.E. Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador-Designate of Thailand, together with Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice-President of Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), and Ms. Pressia Arifin-Cabo, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Timor-Leste, conducted a field visit to survey the project sites for upgrading two Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Centers (BEMONC) in Quelicai and Baguia, in the Baucau Municipality.

The project is part of a trilateral cooperation initiative between the Governments of Thailand and Timor-Leste and UNFPA, aimed at lowering the maternal and infant mortality rate and improving the quality of life of Timorese women and children in the long run. During the survey, the Ambassador-Designate and NEDA’s Vice President discussed with local midwives and officials of the Baucau Municipality Authority about the challenges on the ground and how to ensure the sustainability of the project.

In addition, NEDA’s Vice President also paid courtesy calls on high-level Government Officials to discuss the BEMONC project as well as NEDA’s other initiatives in Timor-Leste. These include H.E. Mr. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing; H.E. Ms.  Felicia Carvalho, Vice Minister of Finance; H.E. Mr. Jose Magno, Vice Minister of Health; and Mr. Florencio Sanches, Executive Director of SERVE I.P.

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