DILI, 17 february 2022 (TATOLI) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Japan handed over three units of refrigerated vehicles (TOYOTA HILUX REVO 2.8 4X4 6 M/T SINGLE CAB) to the Ministry of Health (MoH) to support and help for timely distribution of vaccines to regional warehouse and health facilities.
The three vehicles would be used for the distribution of the vaccines to three regional warehouses, namely Ainaro, Baucau, and Bobonaro.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Deputy UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste, Ainhoa Jaureguibeitia said that the provision of the three refrigerated vehicles as part of the UNICEF’s broader support to Timor-Leste: “UNICEF has helped build the logistic and cold chain capacity at the nation and sub-national level, vaccine storage and distribution, training of health workers and technicians, and support monitoring and supportive supervision actions.”
“With the refrigerated vehicles, SAMES is now equipped with additional resources to transport vaccines for both the Covid-19 vaccination process and for the routine immunization program, reduce the operational cost of transporting vaccines across the country,” Jaureguibeitia made the comments during the handover ceremony at the SAMES Central Warehouse in Dili, on thursday.
Jaureguibeitia thanked the government of Japan for its partnership with UNICEF to support the cold chain system in Timor-Leste, especially by the provision of the vehicles to the Ministry of Health and building other storage at the regional warehouses: “Together we are helping expand vaccine storage at the regional warehouses in RAEOA, Ainaro, Baucaum and Bobonaro municipalities.”
At the same place, the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Kinefuchi Masami informed that the provision of three vehicles as part of the assistance of the Government of Japan that was given to Timor-Leste to fight Covid-19.
“These three vehicles were part of the US$1.2 million that the Government of Japan has been committed to supporting the Ministry of Health this year,” Kinefuchi said.
On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, the Vice Minister of Health, Bonifácio Mau Coli dos Reis thanked UNICEF and the Government of Japan for the provision of the three vehicles to support the Ministry of Health in transporting the vaccines to the municipalities.
Reis said the provision of the vehicles would help strengthen Timor-Leste’s national health system, particularly in combating the Covid-19 in the country.
“The mutual cooperation between the government of Timor-Leste, development partners, stakeholders, and specialized UN agencies is crucial to achieving Timor-Leste National Health Strategic Plan 2011-2030 for the further development of the country’s health sector and to accompany the Government’s vision for a healthier nation.
Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030 is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 3 of the United Nations, aiming to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all citizens.
“I call on all officials at SAMES to take care of these vehicles to better transport the vaccines to the regional warehouses in the municipalities to increase the coverage of the vaccines.
Jornalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
