Dili, June 27: Timor-Leste has launched the process to shape its next National Immunization Strategy (NIS) for 2026–2030, with a national workshop held on Friday following four days of intensive technical discussions.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is leading the development of a costed immunization strategy, aligned with the recommendations from the recent External EPI review, the Effective Vaccine Management assessment, and the Global Immunization Agenda 2030. A costed plan means every intervention—whether it’s training health workers or expanding vaccine access—has a clear budget attached, helping the Ministry prioritise and mobilise resources accordingly.
The workshop on Friday was attended by Dr Flávio Brandao, Vice Minister of Health, Operationalization of Hospital, WHO Representative Dr Arvind Mathur, and Yew Hee Cheah, Deputy Representative of Operation, UNICEF Timor-Leste, along with other experts from the MOH, INSP-TL, INFPM, DNFPM, NITAG, and NCIRS.
Dr Brandao said that Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress—eliminating polio, maternal and neonatal tetanus, and controlling rubella—but real challenges remain. “One of our biggest gaps is sustainability and ensuring that every health worker sees immunisation as part of their core duty,” he said. The minister urged the participants to truly grasp the life-saving power of vaccines. “If we lack that awareness, we fall short of our mission. I urge all of us to plan smarter, organise better, and elevate our proposals—so partners like Gavi can support us in reaching every child,” he said.
At the Ministry’s request, the WHO is providing technical leadership, in close partnership with UNICEF for development of the NIS. A technical core working group comprising 34 experts from key national institutions—including INSP-TL, INFPM, DNFPM, NITAG, WHO, UNICEF, and NCIRS—was formed to guide the process. This group has been working throughout the week to assess the immunization landscape, identify good practices, and engage stakeholders.
Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative, said that a costed NIS for 2026–2030 will serve as a strategic roadmap to guide national priorities—ranging from the introduction of new vaccines, expanding outreach, improving cold chain systems, and strengthening surveillance and regulatory capacities. “It will also help identify funding gaps, mobilize resources, and strengthen advocacy for increased government investment in immunization,” he said.
The joint mission to develop the NIS was led by Dr Sigrun Roesel from WHO SEARO and Jennifer Asman from UNICEF EAPRO, who facilitated intensive sessions with the working group and provided global insights.
Dr Roesel said that the NIS development in Timor-Leste comes at a crucial time, when the global immunization partner landscape has significantly shifted and reductions in available funding pose serious threats to public health achievements and programmes.
Asman said the costed NIS will be a practical and sustainable roadmap to guide Timor-Leste’s immunization efforts. “By linking costing, budget discussions, and financial analysis, the strategy will not only be technically sound but also financially realistic—helping the Ministry prioritise and secure investments through the national budget and partner support,” she added.
WHO has also engaged a dedicated NIS consultant to support the strategy development. Additionally, WHO SEARO and UNICEF’s Regional Office are coordinating closely to ensure the inclusion of strong costing expertise, ensuring that the final strategy is technically and financially viable.
The upcoming stakeholders’ workshop from 11–15 August in Dili, with participation from GAVI and other partners, will be another key step in the process.