Target TB working in partnership with Klibur Domin in Timor-Leste

Country/regional profile

Adjacent to Indonesia, Timor-Leste (or East Timor) is one of the newest and poorest nations in the world. The country gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002 and is now working to rebuild its infrastructure and health sector both of which were neglected by occupying powers and disrupted by political upheaval.  

TB is the biggest killer in Timor-Liste accounting for 10% of all causes of death in the country. Only 1.1 million Timorese live on the small island yet the country ranks fifth in the world for its TB prevalence, when considered in relation to population. Poverty, malnutrition and an under-resourced health service make tackling TB extremely difficult.



Klibur Domin has microscopy
facilities to promote faster diagnosis
of TB cases

Our work with Kilbur Domin

Target TB is working with a local NGO, Klibur Domin, to implement a TB Outreach Programme in three remote rural districts of Timor-Leste. Klibur Domin works in partnership with the National TB Programme to strengthen TB control efforts in rural communities. 

Project Aims

To promote TB control and enable people from the remote areas of Bazartete, Liquica and Maubara to access quality testing and treatment. We aim to do this by strengthening existing community and health frameworks to support national TB control efforts.

Project Activities

·         Training local community volunteers on the 
      symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
      TB.

·         Volunteers work in their local communities to help refer people for tests and support TB patients throughout their treatment.

·         Government nurses are also trained and mentored by the project staff, building their confidence 
      and skills in managing TB patients.
·         The project is overseen by two health professionals: a TB resource nurse and a TB health
      promoter who are responsible for developing and distributing health promotion materials to
      community members, local leaders, schools as well as the general public.