By Susan Thompson, Director of Timor-Leste Programs

May 22-23 delegates from around the world attended the Global Conference on the 2030 Agenda: A Roadmap for SDGs in Fragile and Conflict-affected States held in Dili, Timor-Leste.  H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araujo, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, welcomed guests and opened the conference.

Photo by Olinda Baptista

On the second day of the conference in a side event titled, Health in the Era of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, HAI’s mHealth program, Liga Inan was showcased.  HAI Country Director, Ms. Che Katz spoke as a civil society representative on a panel she shared with the Prime Minister titled, E-health more than just technology.  The presentation featured the Liga Inan (Connecting Mothers) program as a successful model of mHealth in the context of fragile and conflict-affected states.  A short film provided testimonies of the impact Liga Inan has had on the daily lives of mothers, fathers, and community leaders, and the engagement of government midwives who implement the program.  The Liga Inan program is improving connections between health providers and the pregnant women they serve and is increasing the use of skilled care at the time of delivery.