Dili, July 26, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, together with the Ministry of Health and WHO Timor-Leste, organized a two-day exhibition marking the 10th National Health Day under the theme “Delivering Health Services and Raising Community Awareness.” The event was held at the BJ Habibie Bridge, on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino emphasized that health is not merely a byproduct of national development, it is a core pillar. He called for strong, united efforts to build a healthcare system that treats everyone fairly and efficiently.
“We must pool resources and organize ourselves to put an end to substandard health care and build a quality health system,” said Mariano Assanami Sabino.
He stated that Timor-Leste needs hospitals and health facilities comparable to those in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. He insisted that it is unacceptable for citizens or visitors to leave the country seeking medical treatment due to inadequate local facilities. He urged urgent improvements in leadership, funding, infrastructure, and healthcare worker training.
“I call on everyone to take care of the health system we currently have. We must serve not only our people but also visitors, so that the world sees Timor-Leste as a healthy and safe nation,” he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted that the newly installed fiber-optic network in Timor-Leste should be used to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare especially for chronic conditions like cancer and respiratory diseases that are hard to treat locally.
Representing WHO in Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur stated that celebrating the 10th National Health Day should be a moment of serious reflection.
“WHO is truly proud to work alongside the Ministry of Health through the Integrated Health Program (PIS) in Timor-Leste. PIS is not just a program, it represents a vision to deliver community-based healthcare,” said WHO representative Arvind Mathur.
He explained that PIS covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in an all-encompassing approach. He also noted the country’s successes in fighting diseases like lymphatic filariasis and near-eradication of malaria.
Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Flavio Brandão emphasized commitment to quality care in service delivery. He stated that healthcare personnel should treat patients with dignity, not as mere cases.
“As health personnel or directors, we must serve with compassion and never treat others as less than human,” said Flavio Brandão.
He added that PIS paves the way to bring healthcare services to families, and encouraged everyone attending the event to visit booths and learn about the Ministry’s ongoing initiatives.
The event concluded with a “Healthy March” from the Ministry of Health building to BJ Habibie Bridge, reminiscent of a fun and lively performance. It included participation from the Deputy Minister for Institutional Health Strengthening, the WHO representative in Timor-Leste, the Director General, Ministry of Health staff, and other healthcare workers.
Reported by: Nelfiano
Photo: Media OMS