SUPPORT

In many countries, the public health sector is the main provider of sexual and reproductive health services. In Timor-Leste, many people live in areas where the public health system is their only means of accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. At MSI we recognise the importance of supporting public health systems to transition towards ownership of national sexual reproductive health (SRH) services.

This project aims to increase access to high-quality, equitable and inclusive family planning services at public health facilities across Timor-Leste. We have a strong partnership with the Timor-Leste government, and use our expertise and knowledge on reproductive and sexual health services to support the government to take ownership and financial responsibility for SRH services under the SUPPORT project. MSI Timor-Leste work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health to strengthen commodity supply chains and health infrastructure; to develop and embed a comprehensive national SRH training curriculum, guidelines and protocols; and to train frontline healthcare workers in providing a full range of SRH services in an equitable and inclusive manner.

MSI Timor-Leste, with longstanding support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is focused on increasing access to vital services, while also setting quality-of-care standards and best practice across the national health system.

The program

The Transition to Sustain Access: Supporting Government-Ownership of Quality, Equitable Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Timor-Leste (SUPPORT) Program is a five-year program supporting the Government of Timor-Leste to achieve their national maternal and reproductive health goals. The long-term impact of the SUPPORT program is to contribute towards improved maternal and reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Timor-Leste through universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Program results

Strengthened enabling environment for public health delivery of quality, equitable, people-centered sexual and reproductive health, and family planning services.
Government midwives at public health facilities have improved skills and support to deliver quality, equitable, people-centered services.
Government taking ownership and financial responsibility for SRH services, whilst also ensuring that service provision is of the same high quality – and is delivered with the same principles of equity and inclusion – as those formerly provided by MSI Timor-Leste.