Impact of Out-of-Pocket Expenditures on Families and Barriers to Use of Maternal and Child Health Services in Timor-Leste

Despite substantial improvements in health conditions since its independence in 2002, the Timor-Leste population continues to face a heavy burden regarding maternal and child health.

The Government of Timor-Leste is committed to reaching the Millennium Development Goals and to improving the access of its people to adequate healthcare services. The National Health Sector Strategic Plan prioritizes the improvement of quality and coverage of preventive and curative health services for women and children to accelerate progress toward the health Millennium Development Goals.

This country brief examines the impact of out-of-pocket expenditures for maternal and child services based on analysis of the Timor-Leste Surveys of Living Standards 2001 and 2007.