Paulina Quintao – The Deputy Program Manager of International NGO Marie Stopes International Timor-Leste (MSITL) Juliao da Silva said that over 12,000 women so far have received Family Planning services from January to July 2015.
He added that Family Planning (FP) does not limit a woman's ability at having a baby but that instead it provides adequate and safe spacing between childbirths so that women can recuperate their bodies after giving childbirth and also to allow them to adequately look after their children's health.
"This year from January to July MSITL offered the Family Planning service to over 12,000 women in MSITL's clinics and in health facilities where MSITL is posted to," said Deputy da Silva from his office in Vila Verde, Dili.
He added that MSITL has run the FP program and delivered services across eight municipalities, in Dili, Baucau, Viqueque, Lautem, Ermera, Ainaro, Same and Bobonaro and that the program hasn't yet been implemented in the other municipalities due to budget limitations.
He said also that MSITL presents several options on family planning including modern contraceptive methods – injections, tablets, implants, IUD and natural methods – to mothers and to couples who are then able to choose freely any of the methods they wish to use.
MSITL is confident that the number of families choosing to family planning will increase given that many Timorese are now familiar with the advantages of the program.
Member of the Women Parliamentary Group (GMPTL) MP Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares said she is aware that the Ministry of Health and its partners are promoting family planning to families and that many more people are able to better plan how to constitute their families.
"This program should not stop and but be extended because it allows families to plan better," said MP Soares.
The MP added that family planning is not about preventing or stopping women from having children but that it helps to manage the number of childbirths through the use of contraceptives and allows new mothers to recuperate after having a child and look after him or her more adequately.
"Parents need to be able to look after their children's health, their education and to provide moral support so they become good citizens that are able to contribute towards national development," said also MP Soares.
She urged the Ministry of Health and its partners to promote both modern and natural methods that women can then freely choose because with modern methods, Timorese women may forget how to use them adequately which can then have an impact on their health.