Katarina and Joao Fernandes from Aileu, Bobonaro District became proud parents of healthy triplets on 1 April 2011.
The couple had lost three babies in previous births and this pregnancy was high risk. Early in the pregnancy, the local health team diagnosed Katarina with a heart condition and identified that she was carrying triplets. The health team evacuated Katarina to the National Hospital Guido Valadares where she received specialist care for the remainder of her pregnancy.
A team of Timorese medics and Dr Eric Vreede conducted the caesarean section. Dr Vreede is team leader for Australia-Timor-Leste Program of Assistance for Specialised Services (ATLASS). He explained, "this is a very good example for mothers and girls in East Timor. When you get pregnant, you have to make sure to regularly visit the health clinic to receive a proper health diagnostic and immediate health treatment in case you suffer from any kind of diseases, and doing this will help to save your life and the babies".
Australia works in partnership with the Government of East Timor and Royal Australian College of Surgeons to deliver ATLASS. The project trains Timorese health workers so they can conduct life-saving surgery in Dili and in remote rural hospitals. Since 2001, over 45,600 patients have been examined by visiting teams and over 8,700 patients have received life changing surgeries.
ATLASS also supports Timorese health workers undertake specialist training, helping to expand local capacity. The first Timorese anaesthetist graduated from his postgraduate course at the Fiji School of Medicine in December 2011 and is now working in Dili.
Bringing essential healthcare to mothers and children, particularly in rural areas, is a priority for the Australian and East Timor Governments. Australia and East Timor are working together to tackle a range of health issues from maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, and surgical services.