DILI, 01 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has ordered the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment (MPSI), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to urgently rehabilitate the residence of Cuban doctors in Dili, at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV).
The order was given following a joint visit by Prime Minister Gusmão, Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, and the Minister of Health, Elia dos Reis Amaral, to the residence this morning.
“We need to rehabilitate this residence in order to ensure a favorable living environment for the Cuban doctors to deliver health service to Timorese people,” Gusmão said.
In response to the Prime Minister’s order, Minister Samuel immediately collaborated with Health Minister Elia to prepare the materials for the rehabilitation of the residence this week.
The residence consists of three main buildings which were built during the Indonesian occupation and are now in poor condition.
Cuban doctors have contributed significantly to the development of Timor-Leste’s health sector since the country’s independence in 2002.
In fact, more than 1,000 young Timorese have pursued their medical degree due to the the support of the Cuban government and Cuban doctors.
Earlier, the head of the Cuban doctors, Juan Carlos Chavez, said that more than 1,500 Cuban medical professionals had worked in Timor-Leste.
Currently, more than 160 Cuban doctors are working and contributing to the health services delivery in the country.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
