The Order of Malta will send two ambulances to its medical clinics in Timor-Leste thanks to the generous donation from St John Ambulances in Perth.
After making a national appeal in December for funds to purchase an ambulance for its work in Timor-Leste, the Order got more than it bargained for when it was offered two Mercedes-Benz ambulances for no cost.
The emergency vehicles were acquired from St John Ambulance’s Lancelin and Boddington sub-stations.
With funds from the public covering the cost to fit-out and re-label the vehicles, they will be shipped to Dili via Darwin later this month.
In a further act of generosity, Jebsens Shipping have offered to send vehicles to Timor-Leste at no charge.
The ambulances will be used at the medical clinics in Maubara and Bebonuk, two small towns in Timor-Leste in urgent need of medical facilities.
The two clinics are both staffed by Carmelite nuns and provide primary heath care for more than 1,200 families.
Member of the Order of Malta David Scarf said the ambulances would be of great assistance to the medical clinics in Timor-Leste.
“An ambulance will be stationed at each of these clinics, bringing patients to the clinics for attention and taking those who need it to hospitals,” he said.
“The ambulances will be of great benefit to the people of Timor-Leste and, as well, give the Order a greater presence and visibility in the country.”
The Order of Malta’s Australian branch has been assisting with the rehabilitation of Timor-Leste’s National Ambulance Service (TLNAS) for the past four years.
It is expected the ambulances will be operating in Timor-Leste by August.