DILI, 28 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste pledged to compensate citizens who died or were paralyzed after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, said Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães.
Last month (21/07), the Council of Ministers approved a decree-law for the government to compensate those patients who experiencing rare adverse conditions – paralyzed and fatalities after the Covid-19 vaccine shot.
“So far, the number of severe cases of the post-Covid-19 inoculation is very low, while, the benefits of the vaccines outweigh its risks. However, the State will be responsible for any fatalities or paralysis experienced by citizens after being inoculated with the vaccines,” said Magalhaes at the Palace of the Government, in Dili, on friday.
He said the State would not abandon its responsibility to let its citizens down: “financial compensation will be given to compensate the fatalities and paralyzed patients after receiving the Covid-19 jabs,” said Magalhães.
“Based on the decree-law, if a patient experiences a rare case of disability with less than 30 percent, he or she will receive US$ 1000. While, those who experience rare conditions between 30 and 70 percent caused by the covid-19 vaccine, will be compensated with US$2.100. In addition, if the patient experiences a disability with more than 70 percent, caused by the vaccine shot, he or she will receive US$7.000. If a patient died after being immunized, then US$ 10.000 would be given to the family as compensation,” said Magalhães.
The Health Ministry and Professional Health Workers were assigned a huge responsibility to conduct an investigation and verify all the data to decide whether the patient is eligible to receive the compensation, Magalhães emphasized.
“So far, the Ministry of Health hadn’t reported any cases of fatalities, or paralysis, or disable of the post-Covid-19 vaccination to the Council of Ministers,” he added.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
