DILI, 15 august 2021 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste–Cuba Friendship Association (TLCFA), requested the government to increase scholarships in medical specialization to improve and ensure medical specialist service in the communities.
“The number of available medical specialists is not enough. There are six referral hospitals in Timor-Leste, which are still dependent on foreign medical specialists. If the government plan to add more a medical center, then we will need more medical specialists,” AATLC’s Secretary, Herculano Seixas dos Santos made the comments during the celebration of the anniversary of the Cuban revolutionary and politician, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, at the Cuban Embassy, in Dili, on Friday.
He informed that since 2015 the government of Timor-Leste facilitated 61 Timorese to study in Cuba, including 25 in the education program, 27 in the clinical field, and nine were doing pre-clinical studies, who are now teaching at UNTL.
Of the 27 scholarship recipients who had completed their studies in clinical fields, including four were in cardiology, three were in oncology, two were in radiology, three in nephrology, two in biostatistics, two in pharmacy, and so on.
“Among these 27 government scholarship beneficiaries, four are currently working at the Ministry of Health in the area of biostatistics and pharmacy, while the rest are working at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV),” he said.
Santos added the friendship between Cuba and Timor-Leste is not only the relationship but also the connection among the people of the two countries.
“Cuba, although, it is far away from Timor-Leste, but they have helped us in many ways”, he concluded.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
