- Excellency, Dr Elia, Minister of Health
- Dr Merita, President of National Institute of Public Health
- Excellency, Shin Mantaek, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea
- Younhwa Kang, KOICA Country Director
- Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative
- Officials of the Ministry of Health, & the National Institute of Public Health
- Partners, Colleagues and Friends
Good afternoon.
It is a pleasure to be with you here in Timor-Leste today, in this beautiful island nation.
I am touched by the warmth and generosity of the Timorese people. You have made me feel very welcome, and it has been a wonderful experience so far.
As you are aware, our WHO South-East Asia Regional Office is committed to a healthier, more equitable and sustainable region for us all.
This is only possible by nurturing both physical and mental well-being. By doing so, we hope to create the foundation for people to reach their full potential. At its very essence, this is what drives us - allowing people to live their healthiest lives possible, and thus enabling them to realize the fullness of their capabilities.
Our approach focuses on local solutions for local realities - solutions which are tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities within our communities. Central to this vision is the establishment of effective and people-centered health systems.
I am, therefore, pleased to stand before you today to launch three significant initiatives:
- The groundbreaking ceremony of the Field Epidemiology Training and Resource Center
- The designation of the National Laboratory as the National Influenza Center, and
- The inauguration of the state-of-the-art Simulation Skills Center.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Field Epidemiology Training Program marks a new chapter in Timor-Leste’s public health journey and is a vital investment in the country’s future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the indispensable role of well-trained epidemiologists in disease surveillance and response.
The new Training and Resource Center in Timor-Leste will serve as a foundation for training skilled field epidemiologists who will lead investigations, gather evidence, inform public health policy, and protect population health.
Institutionalizing the Field Epidemiology Training Program in every Member State has been a key milestone for us at the Regional Office.
I congratulate the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Public Health for this initiative.
I also extend my gratitude to the Government of Korea and the Korea International Cooperation Agency for their generous support of the Center.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am also so pleased to officially designate Timor-Leste’s National Health Laboratory as a National Influenza Center.
Influenza remains a persistent and significant public health threat globally.
Each year, millions of people are affected, leading to severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.
The burden is especially heavy in our region, where dense populations, diverse climates, and varying health infrastructure complicate outbreak management.
As a National Influenza Center, this laboratory will be instrumental in our regional efforts, providing crucial data and insights to guide national and regional response strategies.
Ladies and gentlemen,
That brings me to the third important launch of today, the state-of-the art Simulation Skills labs.
Timor-Leste has transformed its healthcare workforce from a handful of doctors just two decades ago, to nearly a thousand today. This impressive improvement is testament to the nation's progress.
However, numbers alone do not reflect quality care, as healthcare professionals must be equipped with the practical skills to save lives.
That is why I am delighted to announce the launch of state-of-the-art simulation skill labs in the major institutions and hospitals, supported by WHO’s contribution and technical support.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tomorrow, with HE the Minister of Health, I will inaugurate the country’s first oxygen generation plant at HNGV Hospital. I will also hand over critical care equipment and advanced care ambulances to the Ministry of Health and meet with healthcare staff. These will help advance Universal Health Coverage and will assist in transforming the nation’s healthcare system.
I am sure that with the highest political commitment, and the sincere efforts by the people of Timor-Leste, these initiatives will contribute to an improvement in the public health of this nation. I look forward to seeing their positive impact on my next visit.
Obrigado barak! (Thank you!)