DILI, 24 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The former Prime Minister and Timor-Leste’s charismatic leader, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called on all communities across the country to get vaccinated following his first shot of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, at Fatumeta Maternity hospital, in Dili, today.
“To all Timorese fellows, Covid-19 is one of the current biggest problems facing many countries across the world, including Timor-Leste. So, the vaccine is not only for the government members, and health professional workers, but it is for each and every one of us to protect ourselves. I called on all communities to receive their shots at vaccination centers,” Gusmão made the comments, after receiving his first shot of the Sinovac vaccine at Fatumeta Maternity Hospital, in Dili, today.
Gusmão said millions of people across the world had died because of the Covid-19, while millions of others were under treatment: “New variants are detected in Europe, thus vaccines are the only way to protect ourselves, our family and everyone around us.”
At the same place, the General Director of the Health Services Delivery, Dr. Odete Da Silva Viegas thanked Gusmão for receiving his first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, saying it was a good example to enhance the public trust in Covid-19 vaccination.
“It’s a great example for our population, especially to those who haven’t received the vaccines to get their shots,” Viegas said.
She said Gusmão showed his willingness to get the Covid-19 vaccine, saying it was a good sign for everyone to get vaccinated.
Viegas said Gusmão would receive his second dose of Sinovac vaccine next month, july 24.
“It’s a great motivation for our population who are still doubting about the vaccine to receive their shots,” Viegas said.
Viegas called on all communities to get vaccinated as the Delta variant had spread so quickly across the world, saying there was a possibility for the Delta coronavirus variant to enter Timor-Leste
.“The Delta variant had been detected in our neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Australia. Thus, I called on the communities across the country to receive the vaccine. You know, if our communities receive the vaccine, then they are protected if the Delta variant enters Timor-Leste,” added Viegas.
As of thursday (24/06), around 197.000 of Timor-Leste’s population had been vaccinated.
There has been a total of 8.843 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Timor-Leste, with 7.838 recoveries, active cases were 986 and 19 deaths, according to data of the CIGC.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
