The Prime Minister, Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, has held a meeting with a team of cardiologists from IHEAL Medical Centre, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Government Palace, in Díli.

Visitors were accompanied by the Minister of Health, Maria do Céu Sarmento Pina da Costa, and by the Vice Minister of Health, Ana Isabel Soares, as well as by the Ambassador for Timor-Leste in Malaysia, José António Amorim Dias.

The team, led by David Khoo Sin Keat, shared with the Head of Government and his delegation members his opinion on the current general Health status in Malaysia, particularly in the area of Cardiology.

The Minister of Health informed the Head of Government on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Health and iHeal medical centre, with a particular focus on three areas: Patient Diagnosis, Human Resources’ Training; and investment plan for the establishment of a Cardiology Centre in Timor-Leste.

Rui Maria de Araújo has shown his appreciation on the presentation performed by the iHEAL team, by requesting to the Minister and the Vice Minister of Health to ensure the continuity of the services already planned, according to the signed memorandum.

The Prime Minister recommended that future training in the area of cardiology give priority to young doctors and nurses and people willing to study and contribute to the development of the Health sector in Timor-Leste.

The iHEAL team has shown their intention to deliver advanced training to Timorese in the area of Cardiology, so that, within five to ten years, Timor-Leste may have a Cardiology Centre, as well as quality cardiologists, who are reliable in specialized attendance to Timorese users.

Since the signature if the memorandum between the Ministry of Health and iHEAL 42 patients have already been transferred into that Medical Centre, 41 of each recovered and returned to Timor-Leste; the other patient could not be saved, due to the severity of his medical condition. Soon, there will be send by the Ministry of Health, for a new course in Malaysia, 4 nurses, 2 general medical practitioners and 2 specialized medical doctors.