July 31st, WHO led UN town hall on #rabies, offering critical updates on prevention & response measures for UN staff & their families. TL’s MoH has declared rabies a #publichealthemergency of subnational concern. Nearly 100 participants from UN agencies attended virtual briefing

Delegates from Timor-Leste’s Environmental Health and Vector Control Department represented the country at the 2025 Global Climate and Health Conference in Brasília, Brazil (29–31 July).

"Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful investments in a child’s future,but too many mothers are left without support." Read this op-ed by Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO rep, on why we must invest in systems that support breastfeeding: tinyurl.com/bdf5u63c

Today, the CCM National Country team met to discuss reprogramming the #GlobalFund Grant Cycle 7 for #TimorLeste. Highlights include celebrating #malaria-free status, elimination of lymphatic filariasis & #rubella, and a 55% drop in #TB deaths since 2015.

An 8.5% budget cut hits (USD 1.32M), including 12.8% less for malaria. CCM Chair calls for resilience. The Global Fund rep urges focus on medicines, not meetings. Dr. Arvind Mathur says reprogramming means protecting the vulnerable and strong health systems.

Today’s national workshop brought health professionals together to explore 3 key tools—developed by WHO & the Ministry of Health—that ensure medicines reach and protect people in Timor-Leste.

National Medicines Policy – Fair & safe access to the right medicines Essential Medicines List – Hospitals stock safe, effective, affordable drugs Pharmacovigilance Manuals – Spot side effects early From Dili to Oecusse, you can trust the medicines & the system behind them.

The strategy will be a roadmap for the next 5 years — guiding vaccination priorities and linking with the Programa Integrado Saude for a people-centred health system.

Every nine minutes a person dies from #rabies, although it is 100% preventable. Protect yourself & your furry friends 🐶 by getting your dog vaccinated annually. Ensure people who are bitten also get access to life saving vaccines 🐾 bit.ly/2lOHbop

#TimorLeste is #malariafree! Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão receives the official letter confirming the certification. The letter from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is presented by WHO Rep Dr ARVIND MATHUR and Health Minister Elia Amaral in Dili on Sunday.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão: Timor-Leste’s fight against malaria shows what unity and perseverance can achieve. But our work is not over. We must stay vigilant—strengthen surveillance and protect this victory for generations to come.

🇹🇱 is now the 3rd malaria-free nation in World Health Organization South-East Asia, joining Maldives (2015) & Sri Lanka (2016). The announcement was a highlight at the groundbreaking for the upgrade of HNGV, the national hospital, supported by Japan & JICA to strengthen maternal and newborn care.

They risk everything to save lives. They choose hope over fear. They put humanity first. This #WorldHumanitarianDay, we stand with humanitarians everywhere.

Collaboration and coordination remain at the heart of Timor-Leste’s #rabies response. On Monday, WHO’s Dr Arvind Mathur & Dr John Prawira facilitated a meeting between Vice Minister of Health José dos Reis Magno and India’s Ambassador Madan Kumar Ghildiyal.

A new chapter in education reform begins with the Training of Trainers for Cycle 3 Basic Education. “As we prepare to join #ASEAN, our young people must be ready to compete globally,” said Minister Dulce de Jesus Soares.

“Textbooks alone are not enough, teachers bring the curriculum to life,” said Dr ARVIND MATHUR, WHO Rep. Teachers are at the heart of change. With #MoE, UNICEF Timor-Leste & UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳, World Health Organization (WHO) is proud to support training, materials & collaboration.

Dogs are more than pets, they are our friends. #Rabies is dangerous, but we can stop it. Keep your dogs and other pets safe, give them their rabies vaccine! #TimorLeste

🇹🇱 Happy Popular Consultation Day, #TimorLeste! Today we honor the courage of 1999 and celebrate the progress it made possible: free of #malaria, #LF, and #rubella, and moving toward health for all. 🌿💪

Less #salt, more health! This weekend, try to eat a bit less fast food and choose something healthier instead. Small changes can make a big difference!