DILI, 22 july 2021 (TATOLI)- The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Timor-Leste will support 16 vehicles for the Timorese Government. The objective of the support is to support the Ministry of Health, mainly the Autonomous Medicines Service and Health Equipment (SAMES) to transport the COVID-19 vaccine to municipalities level.
The new 16 vehicles will be distributed to municipalities. But all cars will remain for the SAMES service in Dili, The representative of JICA in Timor-Leste, Goto Ko told to TATOLI Agency at JICA office at Praia de Coqueiros, this wednesday.
Mr. Goto Ko explained that the JICA agency has signed the purchase order (PO) in the past two weeks, an agreement with two companies Oceano and Timor Safari for processing the acquiring the vehicles.
The JICA’s representative assured has offered confidence to these two companies, so the vehicles will arrive soon. JICA made available the total fund with amount at $ 800.000 on previous and upcoming vehicles cost.
It is recalled that the Japan International Cooperation Agency has offered to SAMES a mini refrigerated truck and 15 portable refrigerators to be distributed to all health services in the Timorese municipalities.
Mr. Goto Ko also said that JICA is ready to contribute to the improvement of the Timorese health system, especially with regard to combating the new corona virus.
“We are committed to giving our contribution to the Government to improve Timorese health, especially fights against COVID-19,” he assured.
It is also recalled that the Timorese population has suffered from the pandemic crisis as no one is safe for this situation.
Pandemic situation is begun on last year and consequently most of things are lose in our life. Many are people suffer. The health system has become fragile due to covid-19. Some families have lost their loved ones, many companies have closed down and many students have lost opportunities to learn,” he said
The Director of the Autonomous Medicines Service and Health Equipment (SAMES), Santana Martins, said that the agreement is done and processes of vehicles are on supplying process. The objective JICA provided these additional vehicles to transport health products from national to regional, and even regional to health centers and posts.
“We hope that JICA offers this support of vehicles to transport the health equipment. We are very grateful to the agency for being available to offer support”, he said to TATOLI today.
Related news:JICA hands over refrigerated vehicle and cold boxes to SAMES
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
