Ramos-Horta bestows The Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste on Former WHO Regional Director Poonam Khetrapal Singh
DÍLI, 08 September 2026 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic and Nobel Peace Laureate, José Ramos-Horta bestowed the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste upon Former Regional Director of the World Health Organization for South-East Asia, Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
The conferment ceremony took place during a gala dinner held at the Palacio Nobre in Lahane, as part of the 79th session of the WHO Regional Committee.
The ceremony underscored Timor-Leste’s deep commitment to global partnership and the shared values of health, dignity, and human solidarity.
President Ramos-Horta conferred the Collar of the order of Timor-Leste upon Poonam Khetrapal Singh under the Decree of the President of the Republic No.102/2026, in recognition of her distinguished career in public health at both national and international levels, as well as the significant role she played during her tenure as Regional Director of the World Health Organization for South-East Asia in promoting universal health coverage, preventing and controlling diseases, strengthening capacity to respond to public health emergencies, and enhancing cooperation with the Member States of the Region, particularly with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
“Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Timor-Leste is honoured to confer upon you with the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste. Across decades of public service, and during your leadership of WHO South-East Asia, you championed universal health coverage, stronger health systems, disease prevention and control, and preparedness for public health emergencies. You strengthened cooperation between WHO and the countries of this Region. Many of our citizens have benefited from that work, and today the State recognises your distinguished service. These honours also express Timor-Leste’s appreciation of a partnership that has stood with us for more than two decades,” said President Ramos-Horta in his address.
President Ramos-Horta expressed his hope that these awards would inspire continued international cooperation in building a healthier and equitable world for all.
TATOLI
