NAVFAC Pacific Completes Health Clinic Renovations in Timor-Leste, Increases Medical Capacity for the Locals

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Pacific Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) Thailand completed the renovation of a KADABUNAK Health Clinic with a ribbon cutting ceremony held May 21 in Dili, Timor-Leste attended by U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste Kevin Blackstone and Timor-Leste’s Minister of Health Odete Belo.

“I am so proud of the work being done through the partnership between the United States and Timor-Leste,” said U.S. Ambassador Kevin Blackstone. “As you know, the U.S. Navy is well known in Timor-Leste for the quality of schoolrooms and health clinics they have built over the last 10 years. We are proud to combine the expertise of the U.S. Navy with the proven experience of local partner companies to expand health capacity in this region.”

This project was identified jointly by U.S. Navy Seabees and engineers from the Timor-Leste Defense Force during the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Fall River’s visit to Dili, Timor-Leste for Pacific Partnership in April 2019. The $152k contract was awarded to a local construction company by ROICC Thailand in August 2020 and funded by the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership program as part of the United States’ humanitarian support efforts and disaster response capacity building programs in Timor-Leste.

Major renovations included constructing a new pharmacy room, maternity consultation room, general consultation room, and laboratory room. Work also included installing a new metal roof, floor tiles, a drop ceiling, windows, and a 5,000L water tank.

“The professional Timorese local labor force truly put their hearts and souls into this project, working long hours even during the COVID-19 challenge to make sure this health clinic was completed both safely and with excellence,” said Blackstone. “We are pleased to make contributions to both the health of the community and the local economy.”

ROICC Thailand is among several locations supported by the NAVFAC Pacific Contingency Engineering Business Line (CEBL). NAVFAC Pacific CEBL operates forward providing acquisition, engineering and construction support throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific with headquarters at Pearl Harbor and offices in Bangkok, Thailand, Manila, Philippines, Darwin, Australia, and forward operating presence in Jakarta, Indonesia and Hanoi, Vietnam.

“We provide engineering services, construction and base operating services contracting, program management, and can support disaster relief efforts in remote locations,” said Cary Watanabe, NAVFAC Pacific Deputy Contingency Engineer. “While this presents logistical challenges, it’s also very rewarding to see a project reach completion.”