MAF flights allow staff from Maluk Timor to travel efficiently to locations like Suai, on the southwestern coast of Timor-Leste. Support from Maluk Timor ensures that people from isolated communities can receive tuberculosis treatment – people like Geraldo Amaral.
Story by Lobitos Alves
Geraldo Amaral, a 39-year-old farmer from Debus Village in Suai, Covalima municipality, suffered from tuberculosis since 2023.
On his farm he grows bananas, peanuts, cassavas, mung beans and corn, but his condition has prevented him from working.
Mr Amaral explained how he felt when his health dramatically deteriorated.
“I was frightened because my physical condition had changed significantly. Then I decided to go to the Suai Referral Hospital to undergo a physical test,” said Mr Amaral.
“After undergoing a medical check-up, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis and needed regular treatment.”
Mr Amaral explained that he would have lost his life if he had not been helped by the tuberculosis healthcare worker.
“The nurse at the health centre played a major role in saving my life. Without their support, I would not have survived.
Without the nurse’s support, I wouldn’t have survived.
“Now I’m very happy because I have completely recovered and am back to working on the farm.”
Peterson de Lima, a nurse who works in the tuberculosis program at the health centre in Suai, explained how he observed his patient Geraldo’s condition during treatment.
“He was in a critical condition and unable to do any activities, but after six months of regular treatment, his condition improved. I’m very pleased and continue to encourage him,” said Mr Lima.
Domingos Mesquita, a healthcare worker from Maluk Timor, explained how his team supports the Ministry of Health in Timor-Leste in combating tuberculosis cases in Suai.
“The Suai Referral Hospital was struggling to identify patients with tuberculosis symptoms before Maluk Timor established its mission in Suai,” said Mr Mesquita.
“Maluk Timor supports the Suai referral hospital by ensuring that patients showing symptoms of tuberculosis receive appropriate care and treatment.”
Maluk Timor is an organisation that works through multiple partnerships to prevent and treat some of Timor’s biggest killers, address hidden health threats and target critical health workforce gaps.
“Normally, if we travel from Dili to Suai by bus or public transport, it could take us 6 hours. But with MAF, it takes less than an hour.
“Our collaboration with MAF is really helpful for us in facilitating our team’s travel from the capital, Dili, to reach Suai in a short time, allowing us to provide training or follow up activities,” said Mr Mesquita.
“It would be difficult for us without MAF, as we would have to spend more time traveling. But with MAF, we can travel efficiently and carry out our activities.”
Yohanes da Silva, a MAF Partnership Development Officer, explained how MAF is making changes to improve transport connectivity.
“I feel blessed to be a part of this team and to know that my role is contributing to expanding our organisation’s mission to the people of Timor-Leste and connecting with local and international NGOs and government institutions to carry out their activities in the districts,” said Mr da Silva.
“Transportation connectivity is still a big challenge for us, particularly for development sector institutions, but our dedicated team works to support them and ensure they have reliable and safe travel with our service.”