The role of international health NGOs in an independent Timor-Leste

In 1999, after the referendum on independence, East Timor emerged from the ashes of 24 years of brutal occupation by Indonesia, with 70 % of health infrastructure destroyed.  Most physicians and health managers, who happened to be Indonesians, had left the country.  During the emergency period between September 1999 to February 2000, international NGOs stepped in to fill the gap in health services provision under UN oversight. However, one year before formal restoration of independence, NGOs were requested to handover the service provision role to nationally established heath authorities, who were still under UN supervision, but were part of a process of  'Timorising' health policy development, health management and health care provision in Timor-Leste. It became clear in that year preceding formal independence that the NGOs’ roles needed to evolve from service provision to support of the new national health authorities.  This transition proved difficult for some organizations and for overall coordination, but by May 2002 the Minstry of Health of the now independent Timor-Leste assumed full responsibility for health services provision.  Since then some international NGOs have developed supportive relationships with the MOH and the national health system.  The former and first Minister of Health of this new country will describe key elements in MOH-NGO collaboration that has contributed to strengthening of the post-conflict health system in Timor-Leste.