Dili, May 28, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), led a workshop on the joint management of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV programs for the first time in Timor-Leste. The event was held on Tuesday.
Vice Minister for Hospital Operationalization, Flavio Brandão, stated that the workshop, held from May 27–30, was designed to strengthen the capacity of program managers and supervisors at both national and municipal levels by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively lead, coordinate, and manage responses to TB and HIV.
“Timor-Leste has made progress in addressing the dual burden of TB and HIV, as these diseases are often linked both clinically and programmatically. Joint approaches present a great opportunity to build integrated and efficient health systems,” said Vice Minister Flavio Brandão.
He praised the dedication and passion of the participants in fighting TB and HIV, describing the workshop as a milestone in the nation’s journey to eliminate TB by 2025.
“I call on everyone to change their mindset, there should be no more deaths from TB. We must also address stigma, which often prevents people from seeking treatment even though these diseases are curable. Our success in fighting TB should also inspire how we respond to HIV,” the Vice Minister added.
He emphasized that despite strong national efforts, including the National Strategic Plan to Accelerate TB Elimination and the expansion of HIV services, gaps remain in program management, leadership, and resource optimization.
WHO Representative Dr. Arvind Mathur highlighted that the 2023 Joint External Review of the TB-HIV program made it clear that challenges such as under-detection, limited diagnostic access, low service quality, and weak community engagement cannot be resolved through clinical knowledge alone.
“I continue to stress the need for bold leadership, strong program management, effective planning, clear communication, and commitment at all levels,” said Dr. Arvind Mathur.
He noted that the workshop was conducted in collaboration with the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) and the Communicable Diseases team of WHO Timor-Leste, providing interactive and practical guidance tailored to real-world programmatic challenges. The goal was to enhance program planning and guide participants through the administrative and organizational structures of the National TB Program (NTP) and the National AIDS Program (NAP).
“I also encourage participants to reflect on the changing landscape of financial uncertainty. We need to do more with fewer resources. Ending TB and controlling HIV is not just about science and medicine, it’s also about leadership, teamwork, and smart implementation,” he added.
He mentioned that international participants would also develop key management skills such as effective verbal and non-verbal communication, team-building abilities, and strategies to enhance interdepartmental coordination.
In closing, as Vice Minister Dr. Flávio stated in his speech, “Let us reflect on our Covid-19 response, rapid and strong through a unified system. These words serve as a call to action to adopt urgent measures and coordinated leadership to fight TB and HIV.”
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: WHO Media