A review of the health leadership and management capacity in Timor-Leste

• Augustine Asante, John Hall, Graham Roberts
• Human Resources for Health Knowledge Hub

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19 August 2011This review describes the current situation of health leadership and management capacity in Timor-Leste. Timorese health authorities have identified management and leadership capacity development as an important area needing attention.

The country has made significant progress in re-building its health system since becoming a sovereign nation in 2002. The necessary structures for the Ministry of Health (MoH) have been established and health sector strategic planning strengthened in collaboration with donors.

Despite this progress, Timor-Leste remains one of the poorest countries in the Asia-Pacific region. About half of the country’s 1.1 million population lives below the basic needs poverty line and nearly 40% has no sustainable access to an improved water source.

Access to health services, including maternal and child services, remains limited especially in the rural areas, leading to high maternal and child mortality. Unless progress in service delivery is accelerated, Timor-Leste will miss some key Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets by 2015. Strong and effective management and leadership capacity and performance are necessary for accelerating service delivery.