Paulina Quintao – National Member of Parliament MP Bendita Magno wants to know why midwives at the Fatubolu Health post in Hatulia sub-district, Ermera, are using candle light and mobile phones to assist new mothers birthing.
MP Bendita Magno said this situation puts at risk the lives of new mothers and their babies. "Why can't the Health Ministry provide a generator," asked MP Magno at the National Parliament, Dili.
MP Magno, a Member of Commission F (Health, education, culture, veteran and gender equality) added the hospital in question does not only lack electricity but also lacks clean water and medicines. "There are some 14 medicines missing such as paracetamol to ease the pain of women when giving birth."
MP Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares from the Timor-Leste Parliamentary Women's Group (GMPTL) added this situation only brings shame for the Ministry of Health. "It's a great shame that we have to stitch up patients by candlelight in some health facilities," said MP Soares.
She added this reality will impact on women's health and lead to women being afraid of going to a health facility. "We are here and we approved the general state budget 2014 that included 6% of the overall budget for the Health Ministry, yet these are the real conditions," she said.
The Dili Weekly tried to get an answer from the General Director for health of the Health Ministry but no one was available for comment.