The people of Timor Leste in the words of the Vice Minister for Health have been given a present for the New Year.

The present consists of the development of a state-of-the-art private hospital that will treat Timorese citizens for free.

An MOU was signed between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Australian charitable organization, The Hospital of Hope Timor-Leste, in a ceremony on Thursday, 27 December 2006.

The signatories were H.E. Dr. Luis Lobato, the Vice Minister for Health, who was acting as Minister for Health, and Dr. Chris Fenton Managing Director of Hospital of Hope Board of Directors. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta.

Vice Minister Lobato said, "This is a great New Year present that the Timor-Leste Government has been able to attract for the benefit of all our communities. It is the first time the Government has negotiated an agreement that when implemented will establish a hospital in our country, that operates to an international standard.

"The Hospital of Hope organization, will construct the hospital and the Government of Timor-Leste will provide state land."

According to the plan it will be opened in 2008."

It will be built in Dili and based on the agreement; the government will provide 6 hectares land for the hospital complex. This agreement also says this hospital will provide first world standard health care to the people of Timor-Leste with free care to all citizens of RDTL who are unable to pay for their treatment.

The 84 bed hospital will also provide surgical services, ICU, pathology, pre / postnatal care as well as emergency services.

Meanwhile it will support the national health care system by helping to meet the high and growing demand for hospital and specialist care and by training new Timorese health workers to a high standard. The hospital will also support the development of tourism, NGO operations, foreign investment and diplomatic representation in Timor-Leste.

At the same time Dr Chris Fenton said this hospital will be able to create job opportunities to the Timorese people, starting from making the construction plan, offering the medical positions, as well as the maintenance service of the hospital.

"I have spoken to many doctors in Australia who say that they are very excited to come and give care to the Timorese people," said Dr Fenton. "We are also grateful that Prime Minister Dr José Ramos Horta and the Ministry of Health are supporting us," concluded Dr Fenton.

This project is also being supported by an Australian base Commission that is composed of many eminent citizens, including Timor-Leste Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Estela Ferreira, as well as several of organizations and institutions in Australia.

For further information please contact:

Joel Maria Pereira
Information / Media Officer
To The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste
Dr Jose Ramos Horta
Email: riko=5Fjoel@yahoo.com
Telephone: +670 7254740

Ivana Belo
Information / Media Officer
To The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste
Dr Jose Ramos Horta
Email: unugina2004@yahoo.com
Telephone: +670 724 3559.

Janelle Saffin
Senior Policy Adviser
To The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste
Dr Jose Ramos Horta
Email: jasaffin@nor.com.au
Telephone: +670-7246993
and +61-418-664001