Aderito Hugo da Costa from the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party said that the on-going “arguments and lack of respect” between Antonia Dos Reis Amaral, the Deputy Minister of Health, and Bonifasio Maucoli dos Reis, the Deputy Minister of Health for Development and Health Strategy, was resulting in poor health service delivery for the public.

"The position of Interim Minister of Health must be held by just one person,” Costa said, adding that the idea to “rotate the role every six month” between Amaral and Reis will cause “problems” as they do not respect each other’s decisions.

The comment came after a week where Amaral and Reis exchanged insulting comments on social media.

Costa urged Ruak to “immediately evaluate” the two Interim Health Minister’s work and decide which is the best candidate to lead the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health position has been vacant since June 2018, when the President of the Republic refused to swear in 11 cabinet ministers because of corruption investigations.