DILI, 05 December 2025 (TATOLI) — The National Ambulance and Medical Emergency Service (SNAEM) of the Ministry of Health has allocated US$300,000 in the 2026 General State Budget to purchase three multifunctional ambulances and one operational vehicle.
SNAEM Director-General Simplício Amaral said the new vehicles are essential to improve emergency response capacity across the country.
Speaking in Dili, he said, “Our plan is to procure an operational vehicle along with three ambulances,” noting that the new units are essential as municipal health-centre ambulances frequently malfunction and require maintenance.
He said SNAEM now has 39 ambulances in operation, while another 29 have been handed over to the Ministry of Finance’s Directorate-General of State Assets after becoming unfit for use.
The new procurement aims to strengthen emergency medical services and ensure timely patient transport in municipalities where ageing ambulances frequently need maintenance.
Journalist: Ivonia da Silva
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Filomeno Martins
