DÍLI, 15 december 2022 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Health, Odete Belo, and the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dongbao Yu, today inaugurated the Genome and Sequencing Laboratory at the National Health Laboratory (LNS).
Minister Belo praised LNS’ efforts in increasing the testing capacity of various diseases.
Minister Belo said that the installation of the laboratory was supported by the Menzies School of Health Research to improve the testing and diagnostic capacity and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Besides that, it also helped to improve molecular microbiological testing such as Covid-19.
“Today, LNS officially begins the genomic testing to detect the covid-19 variant in the country. The laboratory currently has the capacity to diagnose between 24 and 96 cases,” Minister Belo said in Dili.
Belo recalled that the installation of the Genome and Sequencing Laboratory was based on the signing of an agreement between the LNS and The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Dongbao Yu expressed his satisfaction with the installation of the Genome and Sequencing Laboratory: “Next year, we want to assist LNS with increasing its testing and diagnostic capacity.”
Dongbao Yu pledged to provide financial support to help the LNS in combating the diseases in the country.
Executive Director of LNS, Endang Soares, said that the establishment Genome and Sequencing Laboratory is crucial to detect Covid-19 variants such as Delta, Alpha, and Omicron in the country.
She said the government also allocated US$331.498 US for the installation of the Genome and Sequencing Laboratory.
“The Ministry of Health has allocated US$239,000 to organize training and capacity building for the staff members of the National Health Laboratory,” she said.
Soares said the Global Fund has also provided US$14,000 for the training of health professionals, saying WHO will support the training in 2023.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
