Having worked closely with the Timorese Ministry of Health since 2004, to provide Pathology and Nursing Development Programs from the HNGV, the Dili-based caregivers were provided with new offices on the site earlier this year.
The offices allow the St John of God Health Care team to work closely with their Timorese counterparts with a clear focus on building the capacity of local health professionals to better manage their own healthcare systems.
Director General of the HNGV, Dr Odete de Vigeas, welcomed the St John of God team in the presence of all the hospital’s chief nurses and nurses from all of the wards currently involved with the Nursing Development Program (Emergency Department, Neonatal, Paediatric and Intensive Care prior to Bishop Ricardo’s official blessing ceremony.
Group Manager for International Health, Anthea Ramos and Country Manager, Lionel Rudd also spoke on behalf of St John of God Health Care.
“It was a great privilege for us to have the Bishop of Dili bless our offices at the HNGV,” Ms Ramos said. “And we are very grateful to be able to work from these offices in the national hospital, where we can fulfil our value of hospitality by extending the invitation to our Timorese partners in sharing the space.
“During our 8 years in Timor we have always felt welcome and we are delighted to be able to offer a small space in return where our partners feel comfortable to come and work with us and use the facilities.
“Each year St John of God Health Care commits around $2million to our work in Timor Leste. This funding comes directly from the revenue generated from our hospitals, pathology and home nursing services in Australia – the organisation established by the Sisters and Brothers of St John of God.
“In development terms our dollar contribution to East Timor is very moderate but our team have a very real and very personal impact on the nurses and lab staff with whom we work, and therefore on the patients they serve.
“Our goals are always to offer the best possible care to patients through the service of healthcare workers, be they nurses, scientists, ward assistants, administrative staff, janitorial staff and anyone else who contributes to the overall wellbeing of patients. The value of service has been instilled as a legacy of the Sisters of St John of God and remains true in our organisation today.” Photo courtesy of St John of God Health Care