Dili, 31 august, 2021 (TATOLI)– International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) donates more than 115,000 items of the personal Protection Equipment and Sanitation Materials to Timor-Leste Red Cross and Timor-Leste’s National Hospital of Guido Valadares (HNGV), this comes as the country is fighting the virus infections.
On Wednesday august 18, representatives from ICRC and the Ministry of Health Timor-Leste attended a donation ceremony held by the Ministry of Health in the National Hospital Guido Valadares Dili.
The items of protective equipment include the protection gown, surgical cap, thermometer, goggles, coverall, soap bar, body bags, face shield, gloves, and surgical caps.
Addressing the donation ceremony the National Director of Forensic Unit of the HNGV Dr. Nilton Tilman said that as the COVID-19 hit the country, HNGV does not only treat COVID-19 patients but also assist other healthcare centers, which treat COVID-19 patients, with equipment and manpower.
“The materials we received from the ICRC would be used by the hospital and also be re-distributed to other health centers which are in need,” Nilton Tilman said.
The CVTL, meanwhile, plans to distribute the items to the frontline healthcare workers, CVTL staff, and volunteers who are at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight, given the scarcity of resources in the country, President of the CVTL Madalena Hanjam said. However, she added that CVTL itself works more on the prevention campaign through sensitization and education to the communities.
“Our prevention campaign was initially focused on remote western region, which was considered as “red zone” due to the porous border with Indonesia. But with the recent community transmissions in municipalities in the center and to the East, we expand our campaign to communities across the country. In this crucial time, every single support from any part of the world to us is of great help,” Mrs. Madalena said.
Head of ICRC Regional Delegation to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Benoit Chavez said that the assistance to Timor-Leste is part of the ICRC global COVID response in more than 50 countries worldwide. He explained that with the disease spreading rapidly, health systems are likely to be under intense pressure, putting the lives of thousands of vulnerable people in danger.
“The ICRC’s support focuses on regions and communities in which it can have the most impact. At all times, the ICRC ensures complementarity with other components of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, including CVTL in Timor-Leste and other partners,” Mr. Chavaz added.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, ICRC has supported the CVTL with sanitation equipment, including the installation of hand-washing facilities at 13 CVTL branches. The organization is also in intense communication with the CVTL to support it in working on a vaccination program at the border areas of Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino De Sa
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
