DILI, 15 february 2022 (TATOLI) – The Executive Director of Timor-Leste’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (SAMES), Santana Martins said that on the 11th of february, the fumigation products for combating dengue arrived in Timor-Leste.
“All of these products are still at the Port and they will be transported to SAMES’ warehouse,” Martins told TATOLI via mobile phone, on monday.
Martins said SAMES is still waiting for the notification from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to begin the transportation process of the products from the port to SAMES’ warehouse.
“We have received 1000 liters of the fumigation products. Next month, another 1600 liters will also arrive in the country, including larvicides,” he said.
The fumigation and larvicide products arrived in due time as SAMES’ Procurement Director, Francisco Borges has earlier revealed to reporters in Dili.
This year, in addition to the fumigation products, SAMES also acquired 75 boxes of larvicide, each weighing 25 kilograms.
SAMES allocated US$51.000 for the procurement of the products. The products were procured by an Australian pharmaceutical company called South Austral.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) handed over 200 liters of Malathion, 650 kilograms of Abate, and 50.000 different Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to the Ministry of Health (MoH) to combat dengue in Timor-Leste.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, since january 2022, the country has reported 2004 cases and 30 deaths.
The majority of the dengue cases were detected in Dili, and fewer cases were identified in the municipalities, including the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA).
So far, 1290 cases of dengue were detected in capital Dili, followed by 132 cases in Manatuto, 85 cases in Ermera, 83 cases in Manufahi, 82 cases in Baucau, 68 cases in Covalima, 63 cases in Lautém, 51 cases in Liquiçá, 46 cases in Aileu, 44 cases in Viqueque, 30 cases in Bobonaro, 27 cases in Ainaro, and three cases in Oé-Cusse.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
