DILI, 19 July 2023 ( TATOLI) – Director General of Corporate Services of the Ministry of Health, Marcelo Amaral, said the Ministry of Health will submit a ratification budget of US$ 8 million to the National Parliament for medical expenses abroad.
“Every year we pay US$ 12 to 15 million for patient care at foreign hospitals, so the Ministry of Health always experiences overspending every year,” General Director of Corporate Services Marcelo Amaral told TATOLI at JL Vila Fatuhada Dili, Wednesday.
The Ministry of Health has no loans but payments for the treatment of patients abroad are usually deferred because the budget is allocated annually for the treatment.
“The budget allocated to the Ministry of Health is only $ 6 million, where every year we allocate $ 12 to 15 million for medical expenses for patients abroad,” he said.
Amaral explained that currently, the Ministry of Health has a budget of $7.8 million which is not enough for medical expenses abroad.
To respond to this difficulty the Ministry of Health will submit a proposal to the National Parliament through a ratification budget to pay for the medical expenses of Timorese patients in foreign hospitals.
“We will submit a proposal to the National Parliament through a ratification budget of US$ 8 million to pay for the medical expenses of Timor Leste patients in foreign hospitals,” he concluded.
Timor-Leste’s chronic patients often receive treatment at overseas hospitals including Indonesia’s Siliwang Hospital, Malaysia’s Eagle Hospital, and Singapore’s Parkway Monta Elisabeth Hospital.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia
