Dili, October 11, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Health and its team celebrated World Eye Health Day and the 24th anniversary of the establishment of eye health reflection in Timor-Leste with the theme, “Love our children’s eyes and children love your eyes”. The celebration was held at the Nobre Palace, Lahane Osidental, Dili, on Thursday.
According to the Deputy Minister of Health for Hospital Operations, Flávio Brandão Mendes de Aroujo , on World Eye Health Day which is celebrated in Timor-Leste today, we all see that eye health in our country has existed for 24 years and its achievements started from zero.
“Our eye health services have been supported by Australian volunteers since the beginning, therefore we continue to be grateful for all the support from Australia and the Freet All Foundation including several national NGOs who have supported many things for 24 years so that we can reach many things until today.” Said the Deputy Minister of Health for Hospital Operations, Flavio Brandão Mendes de Aroujo
He continued, previously in the eye health center we did not see anything and many people volunteered from abroad, but today we see that the eye health center is a model for the Guido Valadares National Hospital, this is a center that has very rapid development, logical interventions that make our eyes better and human resources are also better.
“For 24 years we need to look back on how to maintain the achievements that have made eye health in our country develop. The eye center means that everyone is a witness to the Guido Valadares National Hospital about how so far the work has been professional and the organization that works in the department works very well.” He added.
So on this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry through the Deputy for Constitutional Strengthening and the Ministry of Health, he would like to convey his congratulations to health workers, especially those who have devoted themselves with enthusiasm and professionalism in the field of eye health for all the achievements that have been achieved.
As Timorese, we all should know that work related to eye health is not easy and the government is still aware of the existing limitations but in the future it needs to improve it better in our country.
The resources available in the Eye Health Department are not only competent in eye health but must be free to work in Hospitals and Regional Hospitals, believing that the Eye Health Department can develop for this situation.
On the other hand, the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Valerio A.do E. Santo said that in relation to the commemoration of World Eye Health Day, we are also commemorating Eye Existence Day regarding our 24-year journey, which we started from zero, and until now we still lack resources for the eye health service.
“If we want to serve patients properly, then the most important thing is to have human resources and equipment to make it easier for patients to detect the true cause of eye disease because so far we still lack of human resources and equipment, besides that it can have an impact on people with eye disabilities because we only have five eye specialists in Timor-Leste formed by the Australian government, who have been serving people with eye disabilities in our country.” Said the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Valerio A.do E. Santo
He added that currently there are still three people who are still studying abroad in the field of eye health, therefore there is still a great need for human resources to work in referral hospitals and hospitals in remote areas in the country so that they can facilitate people with eye disabilities.
“The number of people suffering from eye diseases every month is always recorded at more than thousands of patients who experience eye problems and require surgery or treatment and the number of people who complain continues to increase every day, especially people who do not take care of their eye health.” He added.
Further explained that the commemoration of the 24th World Eye Health Day this year is in the context of maintaining of human resources and facilitating which have been used for serving people with eye disabilities in Timor Leste.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano