Timor-Leste Health Care Seeking Behaviour Study - Secretaria de ...

of men in birth spacing and improving community understanding of effective use ofmedicines should be a priority. Education around prevention of common health conditions,and early interventions to reduce severity and complications, should be taken forward. TheMOH, working with local authorities, schools and development partners, should invest in,and evaluate, pilot interventions to improve health literacy.• The MOH should identify one or more persons to assess the implications of this research forthe workforce, local and expatriate, and for identifying how the MOH and key educationalinstitutions can address weaknesses through the selection and training of health workers.- This Report should be made available and used a teaching and learning resource forhealth workers being trained in Timor-Leste, Cuba and other countries. Resourcesshould be sought to translate this report into Spanish to facilitate discussion of itscontents by Cuban personnel providing services or training in Timor-Leste and Cuba.- Educational institutions, with research and development partners, should explorequestions raised by this research. Among these are questions related to the cultural andlanguage competence of local and expatriate health care staff; improved understandingof the emerging private sector in health care provision, including pharmacists; and theneed for detailed understanding of community responses to specific health problemsand conditions in different parts of the country.• The MOH should establish a research structure which will interface with researchers, play amajor role in identifying research needs, and will ensure the integration of research findingsin activities to improve policy and practice.Recommendations for the Government of Timor-Leste• Improve infrastructure – transport and communication – to assist with health, and otherservices, delivery.• Ensure Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education collaborate on health-related curriculaat schools and training institutions.Recommendations for local government and communities• Liaise with local and central government and development partners to develop strategies tofacilitate access to services and improved transport for emergencies and referrals.• In a number of pilot areas, work with Ministry of Health teams to identify innovativestrategies to enhance health service – community interface and mutual respect.Recommendations for development partners• Support community and Ministry of Health initiatives to enhance respect and responsivenessto communities, and to improve access, equity and quality of services.• Encourage innovation and evaluation of interventions to enhance health literacy andcommunity participation and engagement in health issues.• Provide support to MOH in acting on the recommendations above.Timor-Leste Health Care Seeking Behaviour Study | 200912