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East Timor General News |
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After the 1999 referendum which resulted in approximately 75% of the population in favor of breaking away from Indonesia, East Timor gained its independence in 2002 and promptly started redeveloping the country. Currently the country has a basic infrastructure, but with the help of international bodies and the large oil reserve the country aims to become an established tourist destination.
The healthcare system is greatly underdeveloped in East Timor, meaning the treatment received in the country is limited. Dental and Optical services are rare with the majority of the country having no access to treatment at all.
East Timor is still in the early stages of transition and is a young country with an infrastructure that is extremely underdeveloped, with healthcare being nowhere near the standard of western countries. There is basic healthcare available in Dili; however outside the capital the medical care is very limited. There is a need to rebuild the country and the economy. Education is a key focus for the Timor Leste Government, around half the population are illiterate, meaning they have a lack of skilled and highly educated Timorese to fill jobs such physicians.
If you are in East Timor and require emergency medical care, the facilities that are available may not be of a standard to treat you. Therefore you will be evacuated to Australia or Singapore where a center of medical excellence can treat you. If you are unfortunate enough to need serious or vital medical care which results in hospitalization outside of East Timor the cost may run into thousands of dollars. It is imperative you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers all eventualities including emergency evacuation.
The majority Timorese have a lack of safe drinking water which results in a large percentage of the population being at risk of waterborne disease such as protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Also, the rainy season in East Timor from December to April, brings the risk of malaria; dengue fever is heightened with many people becoming ill. With these factors and the lack of overall infrastructure in East Timor they are ranked 67th of infant mortality rate. This indicates how poor the healthcare available is for Timorese.
The main hospital in East Timor is the Guido Valadares Hospital, which is located in the capital of Dili. In the rural and remote areas of East Timor you may find medical care does not exist. If you are in urgent need of medical treatment, the Guido Valadares Hospital is the primary care center in the country and can stabilize you until other arrangements can be made. Be aware you are liable for the payments of medical care you receive and for transportation costs that may occur.
You should consult a doctor before your visit to East Timor to ensure you have all the appropriate vaccinations and all the safe-guard measures in place for the activities you will be partaking in while in East Timor. If you are traveling with a medical problem and you require medicine it is advised you take an ample supply to cover your trip as some medical supplies in the country run low and are difficult to obtain.
If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness for yourself and your family while traveling to East Timor, an international medical insurance plan will be the optimal solution for you. Policies can be tailor-made to ensure all your needs are meet, giving you flexibility while in East Timor. Should you require further information on East Timor, global medical insurance, or receive a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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