𝘿𝙞𝙡𝙞, 4 𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 2024 – In accordance with the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice’s mandate to oversee public institutions, the Chief Ombudsman Virgilio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’ and his technical team conducted a monitoring visit to the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) on Tuesday, June 4th.
The purpose was to assess the situation and engage with the relevant authorities at HNGV regarding the ongoing issue of stock-out of medicines, which have been impeding the delivery of healthcare services to patients.
During the meeting with the Acting Executive Director, Sarah Maria Filomena Xavier, it was confirmed that there are stock-out of medicines at HNGV, with reagents at 13% and consumables at 11%. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding overcrowding in the inpatient wards, resulting in some patients having to sleep in corridors.
Consequently, the Ombudsman urged the government to take immediate action to address these issues.
“We cannot afford to have up to 11% of medicines stock-out in a national hospital. This is a matter of grave concern, and we will engage with the relevant stakeholders, particularly those in policy-making roles, to urgently rectify the situation,” stated the Ombudsman.
In response to the stock-out of medicines and broader healthcare delivery issues, last month, the Ombudsman established a joint team to conduct an assessment. The aim is to gather detailed information to provide necessary recommendations to relevant authorities.
As part of this process, the Ombudsman will soon visit the National Institute of Medicine and Medical Products (INFPM) to gather additional information on stock-out issues.
Lamukan emphasized that, if required, political figures such as the Minister of Health and Vice-Ministers will be summoned to provide clarifications at the policy level.
The Ombudsman’s intervention aims to ensure that the state upholds the people’s right to healthcare, sanitation, and medical services, as stipulated in Article 57 of the RDTL Constitution.
This post is also available in: Tetun