Improving healthcare access in remote Timor-Leste
Remote communities in Timor-Leste, particularly in Manufahi Municipality in central Timor, face significant barriers to healthcare due to rugged terrain, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of health professionals.
Recognising these challenges, Woodside and the Sunrise Joint Venture (SJV) participants launched the Heath Outreach Program (the program), a health outreach initiative aligned with the Ministry of Health’s Programa Integradu Saúde (PIS), which aims to deliver essential medical services directly to underserved villages.
To establish the program, the Alola Foundation and Ordem de Malta Clinic (OMC) met with local stakeholders in Manufahi to introduce the initiative and identify collaboration opportunities. By August, OMC and the Alola Foundation, joined SSK Same and SSK Alas to launch the program’s first activation in the remote communities of Manus and Naelebok located in the Taitudak village, Alas Administrative Post.
The program provides a mobile clinic that also acts as a refrigerated vaccine carrier to local health centres, strengthening cold chain management and delivering integrated services such as antenatal care, vaccinations, nutrition screening, tuberculosis consultations, dental care and health education.
In 2025 more than 430 patients received treatment for conditions like respiratory infections and hypertension. To deliver this service, a multidisciplinary team including nurses, midwives, a general practitioner, pharmacist, and nutritionist set up temporary clinics in local gathering spaces.
“For people living in remote areas, the nearest hospital might be many hours away over difficult roads. Many people cannot afford the transport or are too sick to travel. The mobile clinic removes this geographic barrier. By bringing the ‘clinic on wheels’ to the heart of the community, even the most isolated people receive the same high-quality care as those living in the city,” said Dr Haunara Caldas, Family Medicine, Ordem de Malta Clinic.
“We are very pleased because this is the first time we have had a proper check-up in years,” one resident of Manus Aldeia said. “It means a lot that you came all the way here to see us.”
The second phase of the program brought vital medical services to Wesar and Weberec, two remote villages in Dotik, Alas, Manufahi. Previously, residents faced long, difficult journeys to reach healthcare, often allowing minor illnesses to become serious.
Local parents also see the benefits. Joana, a mother from Wesar was able to access care for herself and her children. Like many others, Joana often postpones medical visits due to the exhausting walk required to reach the nearest health post. By removing barriers of distance, time and cost, the program delivered immediate impact not only medical care but also hope – empowering residents to protect their health without needing to sacrifice their livelihoods.
“We are happy because we can directly have a consultation in our place,” said one resident. “No need to have long walks to get consultation and it was free including medicines, also, we can bring our family to get the same services.”
