Dili, September 10, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Ministry of Health (MoH) considers the elimination of trachoma in Timor-Leste as the result of collective efforts from health professionals, the community, and all partners who contributed to the prevention and elimination of this disease.
Minister of Health, Élia dos Reis Amaral, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region has recognized important achievements in public health by Member States, including Timor-Leste.
“Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, which has been officially validated by WHO, is a source of national pride. This achievement was made possible because of sustained national commitment and the collective efforts of our health workers, the community, and partners. To all of them, we express our deepest gratitude,” said Minister of Health Élia dos Reis Amaral in a Press Release accessed by Média Demokrasia on Wednesday (09/09).
She said that the WHO South-East Asia Region celebrated key achievements in public health by Member States, including disease elimination, maternal and child health, immunization, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.
The awards were presented by WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to the Ministers of Health or heads of delegations during the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia.
“The Minister of Health of Timor-Leste received the award for the elimination of trachoma from WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Three major achievements in disease elimination were celebrated. Timor-Leste was congratulated for receiving WHO validation for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Bhutan also reached a historic milestone with the elimination of dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem,” said the Minister.
She explained that Thailand also marked an important advance through the verification of rubella elimination, becoming the 7th country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this result.
On another note, WHO Representative in Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur, informed that with Timor-Leste’s achievement, the WHO South-East Asia Region has reached the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
“Timor-Leste’s validation for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is a major achievement and testimony to Timor-Leste’s strong commitment to ending a preventable disease,” said Arvind Mathur.
He said that this achievement reflects strong national leadership, dedication from health workers, sustained community engagement, and integrated surveillance with solid, high-quality public health action.
“Significant progress in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases was also celebrated on this occasion. Timor-Leste was also recognized for enrolling more than 86,900 people with hypertension and diabetes in a protocol-based management system, which exceeded the national target of 50,000 people,” said Arvind.
He explained that this achievement shows important progress in implementing the SEAHEARTS initiative, through strong primary health care, community engagement, and multisectoral collaboration.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste were recognized for sustaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for a decade.
“Together, these achievements reflect lives saved, communities protected, and sustained public health progress in the WHO South-East Asia Region. WHO congratulates Member States and commends all leadership, strong health systems, surveillance, quality services, community engagement, and collaboration that have helped achieve and sustain these results,” he concluded.
Reporting: Octaviana Da Costa
Photo: MS