East Timor: National Strategic Plan for a Comprehensive and Multi-Sectoral Response to HIV/AIDS/STI 2002–2005

HIV prevention is a priority in building the new nation of East Timor as articulated by the Prime Minister Dr Mari Alkatiri. The Ministry of Health lead the preparation of this first National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS/STI Prevention and Care, 2002-2005 for East Timor. The Plan has been developed through an extensive, twelve-month multi- phase consultation process which included inputs from 139 community stakeholders, twelve district-based focus group discussions involving 221 people, international experts, the United Nations theme groups, international NGOs and bilateral donors.

This Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS/STI covers a three-year span from 2002 to 2005. It provides the strategic content of the HIV component of the National Development Plan and is consistent with the National Health Policy and Plan of East Timor. The plan is developed in the context of challenges of a post-conflict new nation in its Nation-building phase, which requires extensive capacity building, building of social capital, infrastructure and institution development.