Timor-Leste. Health Sector Resilience and Performance in a Time of ...

Community perspectives on the health sector responseIDPs, in general, retained access to health care during the emergency. Indeed some IDPs noted that the ability toaccess a doctor for consultation and treatment actually improved:Here in the camp, it [health care] is better than before. We would always have to look for the doctor and thentry to go to the clinic somewhere but now the doctors visit us here.- Young mother, IDP campAdditional services were also provided by private practitioners and professional associations during the early stagesof the emergency. Prior to the mobilization of ‘organised’ responses, some GPs worked with local pharmacies tooffer treatment free of charge in order to address immediate needs.Dr... visited here – and the people were very happy, it was in the first week and he came here once or twicewith medicines for the people. - IDPWhile IDPs valued the additional services provided they recognized that 24 hour and mobile services would notcontinue to be offered in the longer term. When there were no doctors in the camp many IDPs identified alternativesfor care such as local health clinics.People feel content/happy that there is a doctor here. From the beginning until now there have been doctorshere… before it was Cubans and East Timorese nurses together and they were available for 24hr clinic. Nowthe clinic is just for the daytime.. the treatment is free. If we get sick sometimes we now go to the Comoroclinic if the camp clinic is not open. - IDPSome IDPs acknowledged that health services had been managed well by the MoH.I think they do a good job actually, and compared to the other government [ministries] they’ve done a goodjob. I think they have cared about us during the emergency. - IDPCommunity members in IDP camps appreciated and were able to access the range of services provided. They sawthe MoH as central to their coordination.Redo feto came here… together with the Health Ministry they looked after pregnant mothers… there wereprivate doctors who came to visit… the medical team from Singapore, they worked with the Health Ministry…they all gave treatment here gratis and the people are happy with them. - Camp sub-coordinatorHowever some camps remained relatively isolated with IDPs frightened to travel on foot and unable to afford transport.When 24-hour and mobile services were reduced, those in these camps felt especially vulnerable.When we get sick, we don’t feel brave to go out, because every day we hear many people throw rocks at eachother and some of our refugees here have had rocks thrown at them so we don’t feel brave to go… sometimeswe ask Sister to drive us to the hospital…especially the men are afraid to go out. - Female IDPWe don’t pay anything [for treatment] at the National Hospital, Centro or Bairo Pite Clinic but the problem isthe money for transportation. - IDPLevels of satisfaction varied with different providers. Most IDPs recognised the services provided by the CubanMedical Brigade in the camps, especially at the beginning of the emergency. While some appreciated the supportprovided by having medical staff available, many complaints were also raised. Some people suggested that CubanTIMOR-LESTE HEALTH SECTOR RESILIENCE AND PERFORMANCE IN A TIME OF INSTABILITY 37