Member of Parliament (MP) Ilda Maria da Conceicao has urged the Ministry of Health, in particular new doctors who studied in Cuba, to implement a family medicine scheme called System of Family Doctors, in order to provide health services to the communities.
Da Conceicao said the system, which is in use in Cuba, was good and important for treatment and health education promotion for the communities.
The Fretilin MP said the Cuban system could reduce the number of patients in hospitals as it would see doctors go directly to communities to deliver health care each week.
“Our numbers of doctors are increasing but I ask them to implement the system, so there are doctors to control people’s health conditions in their own neighbourhoods,” said the Member of Commission F (education, health, culture, veteran and gender equality) at National Parliament.
Minister of Health Sergio da Costa Lobo said his ministry was developing the new home visit program to treat patients.
“We have mobilized doctors in villages, together with the family doctors including Cuban doctors who are in sub-district, to give primary care, so we can fix the condition of the hospital,” SE Lobo said.
In order for the program to work successfully he said the Ministry of Health was working with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
Community member Jaime Pinto said it was a very positive program as it could facilitate communities’ access to health treatment, especially for the elderly.
“In Uato-Carbau Health centre this program has worked but it’s not adequate. Those of us who live near the doctor can always have them come around, consult and sharing information on how to live a clean life,” he said.
