Timor-Leste: Public-Private Partnership for Diagnostic Services

Following Council of Ministers sessions on 27 July and 21 September 2022, it was announced the approval of a Decree-Law which establishes the legal regime for a “Public-Private Partnership for Diagnostic Services”. The bill had been jointly introduced by the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto, and the Minister of Health, Odete Belo.

The objective of the Decree-Law is to (quote) “ (…) create a legal regime specifically applicable to a PPP contract for laboratory and imaging diagnostic services, which allows for the flexible participation of a private partner in the provision of public services, and includes mechanisms on risk allocation, sustainability, operationality and quality of services.” . It is expected the new legal framework will attract private investment in the health sector with a view to improving the quality of diagnostic services.

This opens a window of opportunity for health care providers to come to Timor-Leste and bring much needed know-how and technology. We will keep you posted on future developments on this new legislation and potentially other legal initiatives in the health sector.