Timorese Health Clinic Maternity Ward Reopens at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony after Renovations by PP19 Engineers

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Nathan Carpenter | 190503-N-CO914-1051 DILI, Timor-Leste (May 3, 2019) – Vice Minister and Minister of Interim Bonifacio Maukoli dos Reis and U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Pacific Partnership 2019 mission commander, sign memoranda of understanding at a ribbon cutting ceremony that marks the completion of a renovation project for Vera Cruz health clinic maternity ward. Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter)  

DILI, EAST TIMOR

05.03.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Burgains 

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

DILI, Timor-Leste – A ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vera Cruz health clinic maternity ward marked the completion of a renovation project by engineers from Pacific Partnership 2019 (PP19), May 3.

The ceremony concluded a 10-day project to update the building, with more than 100 hours of effort invested by the Timor-Leste Defense Force, U.S. Navy Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion One and Royal Australian Engineers from the 3rd Combat Engineering Regiment.

“The renovation of this building will greatly benefit the new mothers of the local community,” said USAID Mission Director Diana Putman. “The clinic plays a vital role in ensuring Timor-Leste’s future, by safely delivering more than 100 babies each month.”

The clinic plays a crucial role in the community, providing maternity care to seven different villages in the area. By completing the renovation project, PP19 personnel strengthen local capacity for healthcare and provide a facility that can effectively support relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster.

“Pacific Partnership is about building,” said Rear Adm. Joey Tynch III, Commander, Task Force 73. “It’s about building structures, building relationships, and building community. The work that we’ve done here will echo across generations.”

The renovation efforts included replacement of floor tiles, repainting walls, updates to the bathroom, replacing lighting throughout the building, and installing air conditioning.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2019
• Date Posted: 05.03.2019 01:37
• Story ID: 320554
• Location: DILI, TL