Vision, Values, Mission and Goals of the Ministry of Health

Vision

Health problems are not exclusively caused by health-related sources. In fact if the factors that influence the health status of a population, are studied, it is seen that health care contributes in a small scale to the whole health status.

Education, income, housing, food, water and sanitation are among the most important determinants of health. The Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste is aware of this variety of determinants of the health status and has assumed from its inception, a vision that implies a broad definition of health "Healthy Timor- leste people in a healthy Timor-leste".

With this vision statement, the Ministry of Health envisages a community enjoying a level of health that will allow them to develop their full potential in healthy environment. The fact that the the vision implies a healthy Timor-Leste means that sectors other than health should contribute to reach the point that this vision foresees (multisectoral approach to health).

The vision also reflects an aim to reduce poverty to an extent where the level of production and income allows all its people to enjoy a healthy life and to have the minimum means to cover basic needs. Only a healthy community can achieve poverty alleviation.

Values

From the perspective of the Ministry of Health, the values underlying this vision involve a great commitment to equity and cultural sensitivity through est behaviour based on ethics, solidarity and friendliness.

Equity is understood as distribution of health resources according to need. To ensure equity in health, it is necessary to relate access or utilization of health care to needs. Equity is also related to equality. There is evidence of differences in disease burden among different geographic areas (within or between countries), ethnic groups, occupation, employment status, different income groups or different sexes. It is recognized that excess inequality is not only unfair, but, in addition, also damages health.

Cultural sensitivity refers to being aware that cultural differences and similarities exist and have an effect an values, learning process and behaviour.

Being responsive to the local history, culture or environment where health service is delivered increases community reliance in the health system. Sometimes in health, such values are harmful and it is only through a respectful approach that a strategy for solution can succeed. In Timor-Leste, cultural diversity is high and so are the different perceptions of health and disease and the different health care seeking behaviours. In order to find appropriate approaches to these problems, cultural sensitivity needs to be ensured in all decisions made.

As stated in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Constitution, health and medical care is the right of every individual and the obligation of the state to protect an promote it. The system is universal, general and depending on the capacity of the State, free of charge. The management of the system will be decentralized and participatory.

Mission

Consistent with the vision statement, the Mission of the Ministry of Health is to strive to ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of health services to all the people of Timor-Leste, to regulate the health sector and to promote community and stakeholders' participation (including other sectors).

Goals

From these three components of the mission (ensuring availability, regulating and promoting participation) the Ministry of Health expects to contribute to the overall goal of improving the health status of its population.

The Ministry of Health aims to provide quality health care to its people by establishing and developing a cost-effective and needs-based health system which will specially address the health issues and problems of women, children and other vulnerable groups, particularly the poor, in a participatory way.