Timorese Deputy Prime Minister, Fernando Lasama de Araujo, called an urgent meeting with the administrators of the National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV), in Dili, to address concerns over lack of medicines and other facilities at the hospital and to urge solutions be found.
Deputy PM Lasama said he called the urgent meeting to hear personally from the Director General and other directors of the national hospital after receiving complaints from patients and the public.
“The Directors should offer solutions, think clearly about the problems and attempt to resolve the situation. If there aren’t medicines they must go out and find them. We have allocated enough money to purchase medicines,” said Deputy PM Lasama.
He acknowledged there are many problems affecting the Health and Education Sector in the country but he called on those responsible to find adequate solutions to problems plaguing the sectors.
During the meeting with Vice PM Lasama, the directors and staff of each of the hospital’s departments highlighted the problems they face such as lack of medicines, and inadequate medical facilities.
Staff also raised the issue of overtime and unresolved contractual disputes and discrimination felt by doctors, nurses and cleaners at the national hospital because the Ministry of Health has not adequately implemented the careers regime for health staff.
Deputy Minister of Health, Maria Pina da Costa, noted the issue of unpaid overtime is a central issue at the national hospital because there is confusion around the implementation of the careers regime. She also highlighted lack of medical facilities as another key issue.
“We need to have more discussions on this,” said Deputy Health Minister da Costa.
She added she hopes by the end of December 2013 the issue of unpaid overtime will be resolved but urged staff to be patient.
“We will try to solve the issue of overtime by December, so in 2014 we can adequately implement the rest of the law.”
In relation to the lack of medicines the Deputy Minister said new stocks have been purchased and are being shipped in.
Deputy Minister of Health da Costa said also she will call a special meeting between her ministry and the Public Service Commission to discuss the implementation of the careers regime law for health workers.
