Filipinos in Timor-Leste Hold Medical Mission in Baucau

Venilale townsfolk queue to register for free medical services from the Philippine Embassy in Dili. (Dili PE photo)

DILI 01 August 2018 – Patients and townsfolks in the upland municipality of Venilale, Baucau District in Timor-Leste were treated to a medical mission and a feeding program by Filipino volunteers on 21 July 2018.

The medical mission was organized under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy in Dili, led by Ambassador to Timor-Leste Abdulmaid K. Muin, in cooperation with the Association of Filipinos in East Timor and the members of the Church of God Inc.

This was the first medical mission conducted in Timor-Leste by representatives of the Philippine Government and the expatriate Filipino Community in Timor-Leste.

“This medical mission is a gift of the Filipinos in Timor-Leste to the inhabitants of Venilale and Baucau. This is an opportunity for us to establish goodwill between the Timorese and Filipino peoples,” Ambassador Muin said.

The group of 69 volunteers, including 14 doctors from various missions, organizations and offices in Timor-Leste, gave their time and effort to trek to the upland community in Baucau, a six-hour drive from Dili.

Volunteer partners for the said medical mission include the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, Baucau Regional Hospital, Order of Malta, United States Peace Corps, U.S. Embassy, United Nations Development Program, Ministry of Health, and Stamford Clinic.

Baucau Deputy President Maria Celestina Viegas, and local parish priest Father Avelino Guterres welcomed the volunteers and facilitated the site preparations for the visit.

Representing the people of Baucau, Viegas conveyed her appreciation to the volunteers, and also expressed the wish of the townsfolks on the possible return of the medical mission in the near future.

Around 400 Venilale’s townsfolk availed themselves of free medical consultations were provided with free medicines and vitamins, and received free food and beverages after completing the whole process. END

The volunteer doctors in action. (Dili PE photo)

Medical mission volunteers receive prospective patients. (Dili PE photo)

Venilale townsfolk welcome the medical mission. (Dili PE photo)

For more information, visit www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Embassy-in-Dili-Timor-Leste-397812407262952/.