The Timorese president noted that in 2002, when independence was restored, the country had only 19 doctors, who were trained in Indonesia and there were no specialists. At that time, Cuba deployed 20 doctors, then 50, and eventually had a team of 200 doctors in the country. “Twenty-two years after independence, the Cuban medical presence in East Timor remains indispensable,” said Jose Ramos-Horta, noting that it is in the national interest for there to be an East Timorese embassy in Cuba.
East Timor's President, José Ramos-Horta, said on Wednesday that without Cuba's support, the situation in the country's health sector would be a “catastrophe.”
The Timorese Head of State was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new Ambassador of East Timor to Cuba, Nevio Magalhaes, and the Permanent Representative of East Timor to the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Laura Abrantes.
“If it had not been for Cuba’s support for medical training for Timorese, the situation in the health sector today in East Timor would have been a disaster,” said Jose Ramos-Horta.
The Timorese president noted in a speech that in 2002, when independence was restored, the country had only 19 doctors, who were trained in Indonesia and there were no specialists.
At that time, Cuba deployed 20 doctors, then 50, and eventually had a team of 200 doctors in the country.
“Twenty-two years after independence, the Cuban medical presence in East Timor remains indispensable,” said Jose Ramos-Horta, noting that it is in the national interest for there to be an East Timorese embassy in Cuba.
Regarding the group of Portuguese-speaking countries, the Timorese Head of State stated that it was of “equal importance”.
He noted that “Timor-Leste has been one of the most active countries of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, not only for its permanent participation, but also for the funding and support it has provided to the countries most in need, namely Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe.” Jose Ramos Horta.
The Head of State also highlighted the support provided by African Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP) to restore East Timor's independence.
“PALOP has been among the most loyal groups to East Timor during our 24 years of struggle. Without the support of PALOP, Portugal and Brazil […] The East Timor issue could have been removed from the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly. “We never forget the importance of the Community of Portuguese-speaking countries, especially in Portuguese-speaking African countries, which have always shown solidarity with us, despite the difficulties,” said José Ramos-Horta.
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