In one of the poorest areas of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, the Order of Malta‘s clinic in Comoro provides free, high-quality healthcare to the Timorese population, many of whom are suffering from the country’s huge humanitarian crisis, still evident in its 5% mortality rate. To mark the clinic’s 8th anniversary, the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Josef Blotz, visited the project with a delegation from the Australian association. This was the first visit by a representative of the Grand Magistry to Timor-Leste.
The Timor-Leste staff operates through the main clinic in Dili with a mobile outreach program in various areas, both inside and outside Dili, to arrive in remote communities that have experienced difficulty in accessing healthcare. Since 2017, Order of Malta doctors, nurses and volunteers have provided general medical consultations, antenatal care for pregnant women, childhood and adult vaccinations, minor treatments and first aid, plus nutrition screening and support for 70,000 patients. The clinic currently treats 1000 patients a month, most of whom suffering from URTI, viral infections and muscle pain, indicating a widespread community health burden. From the outset, the Order’s embassy in Timor was instrumental in improving the healthcare of pregnant women and young children to address avoidable mortality and malnutrition, one of its main causes.
During the visit, the Grand Hospitaller met with Élia António de Araújo dos Reis Amaral, the Minister of Health of Timor-Leste, who shared her vision for improving health conditions for the population. She expressed her appreciation for the Order of Malta’s work and requested an extension of the mobile clinic to areas close to the Indonesian border, with a focus on screening for communicable diseases. The Grand Hospitaller and Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing of Timor-Leste then met to discuss prevention and education. They talked about further cooperation based on diplomatic relations dating back to 2006, with the emphasis on educational and training programs in partnership with universities.
When visiting the Comoro clinic and mobile clinic, the Grand Hospitaller expressed his gratitude to the Order of Malta staff and encouraged them to continue their tireless work. “The future is in your hands,” he said, “and we will do everything possible to support the clinic’s progress.” To serve local communities efficiently and reach the most remote areas, the Grand Hospitaller handed over a substantial donation from the Grand Magistry for buying a new ambulance, and announced plans for acquiring an X-ray machine and a laboratory, projects for which further assistance will be needed.
