DILI, 28 april 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (SAMES) appreciated Australia’s support given to Timor-Leste to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Executive Director of SAMES, Santana Martins made the comments during the visit of the Australian Ambassador for Regional Health Security, Stephanie Williams, to SAMES, Dili, today.
“We would like to express our appreciation for all the support given by the Government of Australia in supporting Timor-Leste Covid-19 Response. We know that Timor-Leste has to walk alone one day, but for now, we need the support of our neighboring countries, particularly Australia,” Martins said.
The Australian Ambassador for Regional Health Security, Stephanie Williams, paid a courtesy visit to see SAMES’ cold chain storage of Covid-19 vaccines.
“We come today to see the Cold Chain Storage for vaccines here at SAMES that Australia has supported through the provision of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. In this visit, we come to see how SAMES increase their fridges and storage capacity to be able to deliver those vaccines,” she said.
Williams said during the visit she saw the ultracold chain fridges working with voltage regulators and storage records: “We have been talking about how SAMES monitored the Cold Chain Storage.”
She stressed that Australia will keep its commitment to supporting Timor-Leste, especially with the pharmaceutical management system.
“We had had a long history of support with SAMES. Some of the future supports, I think the pharmaceutical management system that can continue to support SAMES and other regional warehouses to maintain excellent stock management to be able to respond to the demands from health facilities not just for the vaccines but also the essential medicines and supplies,” Williams said.
The visit reflects the strong partnership between Australia and Timor-Leste that has been going on for decades.
“All the achievements through the support given by the government of Australia belong to Timor-Leste and SAMES. We are nothing without our supplies,” she concluded.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
