Life expectancy inTimor-Leste at birth was at 60.7 in 2007.[1] The fertility rate is at six births per woman.[1] Healthy life expectancy at birth was at 55 years in 2007.[1]
The Human Rights Measurement Initiative[2] finds that Timor-Leste is fulfilling 74.9% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income.[3] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Timor-Leste achieves 93.1% of what is expected based on its current income.[4] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 96.2% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.[5] TImor-Leste falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 35.5% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.[6]
Malnutrition rates in children have reduced but in 2013 still stood at 51%.
The 2010 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Timor-Leste was 370. This compares with 928.6 in 2008 and 1016.3 in 1990. The under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 births is 60 and the neonatal mortality rate per 1,000 live births is 27.[7] The number of midwives per 1,000 live births is 8 and the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is 1 in 44.[8]
The country has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, with 33% of the population, including 61% of men, smoking daily.[9]
In 2013 only three deaths from malaria were recorded, an achievement recognized by theWorld Health Organization.
Government expenditure on health was US$150 per person in 2006.[1] There were only two hospitals and 14 village healthcare facilities in 1974. By 1994, there were 11 hospitals and 330 healthcare centres.[10]
Sergio Lobo, a surgeon is the Health Minister. He says that “Many of the health-related issues are outside the competence of the Minister of Health.” Since independence the country has established a medical school, a nursing school, and a midwifery school.[11]
