Odete Viegas told the Independente on Tuesday that the National Hospital Guido Valaderes in Dili urgently needed money to buy medication and that patient’s health should not be in jeopardy due to “political bureaucracy”.

The Minister of Health position has remained unfilled since the new government was inaugurated on 22 June.

Odette said five containers of medical supplies were grounded at the Dili port unable to be used until State health funds were approved and released.

"The drugs are very much needed to save lives,” Odete said.

“Until now the National Hospital Guido Valaderes has faced difficulties because of lack of medicine.”

The Hospital Director said the Autonomous Service of Medicines and Health Equipment (SAMES), the public institution working within the Ministry of Health, had warned the government that hospitals faced critical medicine shortages.

She said SAMES had been forced to redistribute medicine from the Oecusse hospital, Moris Foun, Foho Osan-mean, Estana Palma, and Betesta to Dili.

Odete called for “immediate action” from the government, warning lives would be in jeopardy if funds were not released.