In a speech by United of Democracy Development Party (PUDD) member Antonio de Sa Benefides, they said health facilities throughout Timor-Leste were “lacking medicine”, in particular medicine needed to treat patients with mental health issues.

“I am asking the Commission F of the National Parliament and the Ministry of Health to address this problem of our country lacking medicines,” said Benefides.

The parliamentarians did not identify which medicines were in shortage, but said health officials at several medical facilities were concerned about their ability to provide full medical services to patients.

Minister for Health Odete Maria Freitas Belo, responding to the request, said that the country’s medicine supply was still being impacted by COVID-19- related global supply chain woes that continue to cause delays at ports.

Timor-Leste imports the majority of its medical supplies and with months of shipping issues because of COVID-19, essential medication supplies are also impacted,  Belo said.