Member of the National Parliament MP Cesar Valente de Jesus demanded to know laboratory tests continue to be sent overseas rather than analyzed in-country.
MP de Jesus urged the government to look into this issue.
“We should be able to conduct urine and other small tests in-country only. It is un-necessary to send these abroad,” said the MP at the National Parliament, in Dili.
He feels increasing the capacity of laboratory at the Special Crimes Investigations (SIK) Unit would help reduce the costs associated with sending tests abroad to be tested.
“I haven’t as yet seen the budget proposal from the Secretary of State for Security but I hear money is being allocated to deal with this issue,” he added.
In response to the concerns SIK Chief Superintendent, Calisto Gonzaga, said the SIK Laboratory is working fine.
“We conduct ultra violet testing to urine samples. These are basic tests and we have been performing these so far,” said Chief said Gonzaga, in Kaikoli, Dili.
He added SIK is trying to find a way so blood and DNA samples can be tested in Timor-Leste.
