To improve the quality of surgeries at the National Hospital Guido Valadares, Australian Aid (AUSAID), funded an extension of the operating theatre of the national hospital.
The National Director of the National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV), Domingos Soares, said so far there were only two rooms for operations which restrict the number of operations medics can perform on patients.
He said the extension will include an extra operating theatre and a storage facility in hopes of improving patient care in particular in emergency cases.
“We have many more needs now compared to several years ago in regard to operations,” said DJ Soares at the first stone launching for the extension for the operating theatre at the HNGV in Bidau, Dili.
Meanwhile the Director of Afi Hini Unipesoal Company, Lda, responsible for the extension project, Arsenio Fernandes, said the extension will be completed on time as per the timeline established in the contract.
“That’s guaranteed, the work will be completed in five months,” said Director Fernandes.
He added the construction materials for the operating theatre and storage facility will come from Indonesia with construction starting on 18 October.
The Head of the Surgery and Anesthetics Department of the HNGV, Abilio de Oliveira, said so far they only have two operating theatres they use to operate daily on 12 patients, not taking into account emergency cases.
He added currently the hospital has sufficient medical staff and equipment lacking only space.
“We are particularly concerned with mothers requiring a caesarian due to complication during birth. Then there are accidents as well,” said Head Oliveira.
Meanwhile the Deputy Minister of Health, Maria do Ceu Sarmento Pina da Costa, said the ministry approved additional funds out of the annual State Budget to buy additional equipment for the operating theatre.
“While the budget has been approved, the tender process is still being assessed for the operating theatre equipment required such as operating tables and lighting,” said Deputy Minister Ceu.
She added AUSAID also helped fund the construction of a Health Centre for Ermera District, the Referral Hospital in Oe-Cusse, the Maternity House in Manatuto.
