DILI, 23 august 2024 (TATOLI) – WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, accompanied by WHO Representative to Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur, and the Minister of Health, Élia dos Reis Amaral, inaugurated PSA Oxygen Plant, and Health Emergency Operation Center at the National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV), in Dili.
In her speech at the inauguration ceremony, Saima Wazed said that she was proud to inaugurate Timor-Leste’s first-ever oxygen generation plant which was supported by WHO.
“This facility uses smart technology to convert regular air into pure oxygen, right here on Timorese soil. This will ensure that patients have easier and better-quality access to this lifesaving medicine. It is with great pride that I now hand over the country’s first oxygen plant to people of Timor-Leste. This PSA oxygen generation plant, coupled with the critical care equipment we are handing over today, forms a powerful combination that will save lives and improve patient outcomes,” Wazed said on friday.
She said that oxygen is an inexpensive, lifesaving medicine with no alternative, yet for far too long, this essential medicine has been out of reach for many: “I am heartened to see Timor-Leste taking proactive steps to address this critical issue.”
At the same time, Wazed also handed over three advanced cared ambulances to the Ministry of Health.
WHO has been working closely with the Ministry of Health to strengthen critical care and emergency services across the country including training of more than 1,000 health workers that’s already completed in basic emergency and critical care skills.
This joint effort has established critical care facilities within the crucial ‘golden hour’ for emergencies at all secondary care hospitals in the country.
“Recognizing the crucial importance of robust pre-hospital emergency care and to further enhance this support, I am pleased to hand over three advanced care ambulances to the government today,” Wazed said. “Equipped with state-of-the-art gear, I am confident that this modest contribution will bolster the efforts of the government and all partners to ensure that victims of medical emergencies and accidents receive the best pre-hospital care possible.”
She reiterated that the collective actions between the WHO and the Ministry of Health will continue to build a healthier and more resilient future for Timor-Leste.
On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, Minister Amaral expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the WHO’s unending support.
Amaral thanked Wazed for her visit to Timor-Leste: “I would also like to thank the Regional Director for the inauguration of the PSA Oxygen Plant, and the Emergency Health Operations Center and the delivery of the ambulances.”
“Today marks a crucial moment in our journey to improve the health services in the country. The inauguration of the PSA Oxygen Plant and the Health Emergency Operations Center, as well as the delivery of the ambulances, are crucial to improving the emergency service in Timor-Leste,” she concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
