On September 5, 2019, the Deputy Minister for the Strategic Development of Health, Bonifácio Maucoli dos Reis, accompanied by the Ambassador of Australia in Timor-Leste, Peter Roberts, officially inaugurated an ambulances office at the reference Hospital of Maubisse, in the municipality of Ainaro.
In his speech, the Minister thanked the cooperation and support offered by the Australian Government through its Embassy in Timor-Leste, in this action of solidarity aimed at strengthening the National Health System (SNS), improving the health of the population and promoting healthier life at national, municipal, administrative post, sucos and villages levels.
“The emergency and ambulance service is an important pillar in providing health care services to the people of Timor-Leste. This service is part of the National Strategic Plan for the Health Sector (PENSS). Currently, the Ministry of Health has 46 ambulances, 12 of which are defective and 88 multifunction ambulances, 20 of which are defective. Based on this year’s plan, the Ministry of Health will buy 16 more ambulances to support the emergency service throughout the national territory”, said the Deputy Minister.
Bonifácio Maucoli dos Reis added that, the Ministry of Health values the technical support provided by the Government of Australia and expects the Ministry to continue working with the Australian Embassy, with the Australian Department For Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Cooperation Program for Human Development (PHD) to maximize support for the national health program in the healthcare sector for the next five years.
The ceremony was attended by the Director General of corporate Services, Vitor Soares Martins, by the Health Inspector, Natalino de Araújo, the national Director of Management and Finance, Marcelo Amaral, the National Director of Administration, Logistics and Assets, Francisco Borges, the National Hospital Support Director, Horacio Sarmento, the Executive Director of the Maubisse Reference Hospital, Gabriela da Conceição Magno Pereira, the director of the Municipal Health Service (SSM) of Ainaro, Agostinho da Costa, the Director of Clínica São Joaquim de Maubisse and employees of the health sector, among other guests.