Australia helps the Ministry of Health put ambulances back on the road in Timor-Leste

19 August 2014

The Australian Government is supporting the Ministry of Health to take practical measures to help save lives in Timor-Leste by facilitating the repair of ambulances and health vehicles.

Seven ambulances are already back on the road and another 17 are currently being repaired at local workshops. Repairs range from replacing tyres and electrical equipment through to larger work on engines and body work.

Transport is a critical link in the referral chain in the Timor-Leste health system – ambulances and multi-function vehicles transport Timorese women and children who require urgent care from villages to health facilities. For example, maternal deaths in Timor-Leste are the highest in the region, partly because women are not seeking or receiving emergency obstetric care in time.

The ambulances are part of the new Australian Government health program (AUD$28 million for the first four years). The program aims to improve health outcomes in all 13 districts, especially for women and children.

Mr Jon Moore, Lead Transport Facilitator in the Ambulance Department of the Ministry of Health (pictured below), said he is proud to work on such an important project where results are instant and lives can be saved.

“We have demonstrated how effective this project can be with rapid repairs getting seven vehicles back on the road in the first four months of the program,” said Mr Moore.

Australian Embassy staff Mia Thornton, Sarah Lendon (left) and Jon Moore Lead Transport Facilitator in the Ambulance Department of the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health, handover keys to a repaired ambulance to Sr Jose Maher, Timor-Leste Ministry of Health’s Head of Ambulances and Logistics. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili