REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- India as a steadfast friend of Timor Leste has been supporting the country towards its national building and capacity development. In continuation of its efforts to supplement the developmental path of Timor Leste and as a special gesture to augment its healthcare system, the Government of India donated an Ambulance to the Health Ministry of Timor Leste on 14 January 2016.
The Ambulance, which is a fully equipped mobile operation theatre, was donated by the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of India H.E. Mr. Manish to the General Director for Ministry of Health of Timor Leste H.E. Mr. Jose dos Reis Magno at a ceremony attended by the officials of the Government of Timor Leste and Indians working in Dili.
Speaking at the ceremony, Charge d’Affaires H.E. Mr. Manish said that Timor Leste could benefit from India’s advancement in health sector and low cost medicines. Indian companies could invest in hospitals in Timor Leste on PPP model. He added that to improve the health management system of Timor Leste, India has proposed an inter-governmental MOU on Health Cooperation which will be finalized very soon.
General Director for Ministry of Health of Timor Leste H.E. Mr. Jose dos Reis Magno acknowledged the contribution of India towards the capacity building and human resource development of Timor Leste. She thanked the Government of India for its generous contribution of Ambulance which would help address the healthcare needs of Timorese citizens.
The Ambulance was specially designed to suit the topography of Timor Leste. Manufactured at a cost of US$ 70,620/- the Ambulance is equipped with all necessary equipment viz oxygen cylinder, operation table, suction machine, autoclave, fumigator, pulse oximeter, dressing drums, instrument trolley, stretcher, BP apparatus, X-ray viewer, AC etc. to cater to the emergency medical treatments. A book on Make in India was jointly released by the dignitaries on the occasion.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 2003, India and Timor Leste have been cooperating at bilateral, regional and international levels. India has been offering economic, technical and capacity building assistance to Timor Leste through various development projects. India extends 10 ITEC training slots and 10 GCSS Scholarships every year (Interested candidates may visit the Embassy’s website at www.indianembassyjakarta.com; www.facebook.com/IndiaInIndonesia).
India offers slots to Timor Leste for training of their diplomats at the Foreign Service Institute of India. It cooperated with East Timor Development Agency to get nomination for women trainees. India has offered to set up a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology and the project is expected to commence soon.