Pharmaceuticals delivered to four clinics in Timor-Leste
This project is led by our members in South Australia. Dr Bob Britten Jones, who was a board member of ‘OPAL’ (Overseas Pharmaceutical Aid for Life), initiated a project with the assistance of Dr. Ian Leitch and Mr. Alick Haddad, to purchase and distribute medicines for the clinics at discounted wholesale prices.
Mr. Haddad, a Pharmacist with longstanding contacts in the industry has enabled the Order to purchase suitable pharmaceuticals at wholesale prices and assist with industry donations to maximise the size and quality of these shipments.
Dr. Leitch has first-hand experience in Timor-Leste after serving with the Australian Defence Force at UN Military Hospital in Dili in 2000 and subsequently visiting with a Plastic Surgical Team from the Overseas Specialist Surgical Association (OSSA). His experience has been invaluable in developing the project and prioritising supplies.
However to provide the clinics with the volume of pharmaceuticals necessary to service the clinics, lack of funding is currently inhibiting the progress of the project. Dr. Leitch explains “Even though the pharmaceuticals are purchased at wholesale prices, because of their poverty, most Timorese are not able to afford treatment. Our provision of pharmaceuticals at no cost, will allow the local population to receive treatment that would otherwise not be possible”.
If you would like to support this project please donate now via our secure online gateway.