Almost ten percent of all children born in Timor-Leste die at birth. Many births take place at home, particularly in rural areas. Of the ninety percent of children who survive birth, malnutrition, parasitic diseases and infections, and general poor health mean that many children die before their fifth birthday, bringing the total who die to over twelve percent. Poor sanitation, an interupted immunisation program and limited access to health services for what reamains a predominately rural population contributes to a high incidence of children with serious diseases.

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A mother looks on as her child is given emergency treatment at Dili national hospital. Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A mother looks on as her child is given emergency treatment at Dili national hospital.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A child with severe respiratory problems is evacuated from a clinic in Dili to be taken to the national hospital, where more modern facilities are available. Infant and child mortality in Timor-Leste are high; up to 125 of every thousand childr

A child with severe respiratory problems is evacuated from a clinic in Dili to be taken to the national hospital, where more modern facilities are available. Infant and child mortality in Timor-Leste are high; up to 125 of every thousand children die before their fifth birthday. Outside the large towns, there is limited access to adequate health services.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A mother looks on as her child is given emergency treatment at Dili national hospital. Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A mother looks on as her child is given emergency treatment at Dili national hospital.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A woman gets into an ambulance that will carry her sister and her baby to safety. Her sister has been in labour for 24 hours and is unable to safely give birth. Three traditional midwives in attendance were unable to assist. The only hope is through

A woman gets into an ambulance that will carry her sister and her baby to safety. Her sister has been in labour for 24 hours and is unable to safely give birth. Three traditional midwives in attendance were unable to assist. The only hope is through a surgical delivery. The ambulance visits every three weeks, and happened to be in a nearby hamlet. Without it, her sister and the baby will die.

Most Timorese women give birth at home, due to the cost of transport to distant hospitals. Almost ten percent of all children die at birth, as do many mothers.
Hatubulico, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A newborn baby girl is held by her aunt. Two hours ago, the child and her mother had been on the floor in their hut in the highlands of Timor-Leste, with no prospect of a safe delivery. By good fortune, an ambulance was in the area, and took them to

A newborn baby girl is held by her aunt. Two hours ago, the child and her mother had been on the floor in their hut in the highlands of Timor-Leste, with no prospect of a safe delivery. By good fortune, an ambulance was in the area, and took them to the safety of a hospital. Most Timorese women give birth at home, due to the cost of transport to distant hospitals. Almost ten percent of all children die at birth, as do many mothers.
Maubisse, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A woman watches her sister who has been in labour for 24 hours, and cannot give birth. They have just been driven to the nearest medical facility, over two hours away from their highland village. Cuban doctors at this sub district health post offer

A woman watches her sister who has been in labour for 24 hours, and cannot give birth. They have just been driven to the nearest medical facility, over two hours away from their highland village. Cuban doctors at this sub district health post offer the promise of a safe delivery. Most Timorese women give birth at home, due to the cost of transport to distant hospitals. Almost ten percent of all children die at birth, as do many mothers.
Maubisse, Timor-Leste, February 2006