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21 February 2008
Update on the condition of President Jose Ramos Horta
I'm Dr Paul Goldrick. I'm one of the intensive care specialists here at Royal Darwin (Hospital). I'm the acting director of the intensive care unit and I've been asked to read a short statement on behalf of Preisdent Ramos Horta. President Ramos Horta is at the moment slowly waking up from sedation and he's been able to say a few words to his family. The doctors and surgeons here at the hospital are very pleased with his speedy progress. We expect him to make a full recovery but we think this may take up to several months. He is going to remain in the intensive care unit for a period longer - we don't know long it may be several weeks. Likely that during this time he may undergo certain surgery for changing the dressing to the wounds in his chest. In relation to the other patient we accepted last from Dili who was involved in this incident - Leutenant Celestino Gomes. He remains also in a stable condition. He's no longer in the intensive care unit - he's been transfered to a regular ward. We're also pleased with the progress he is making and expect him to make a full recovery.
Dr Paul Goldrick, Intensive Care Specialist, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin Northern Territory
Update on the condition of President Jose Ramos Horta
Doctors at Royal Darwin Hospital have reported that President Jose Ramos Horta continued his steady recovery today and is slowly waking up. The President has said a few words to family and is resting.
20 February 2008
Doctors at Royal Darwin Hospital have reported that President Jose Ramos Horta continued his steady recovery today.
Following yesterdays surgery Professor Phil Carson and Mr Paddy Bade said they were delighted with the reconstructive surgery that repaired the Presidents chest injuries.
Prof Carson added that sedation would be gradually reduced in the coming days and that the surgery team are confident of a full recovery.
Media Contact: Luke Gosling, Office of the President of Timor-Leste, Ph +61 431 637 369
19 February 2008
Senior Surgeons at the Royal Darwin Hospital have successfully carried out further surgery on President Jose Ramos Horta today.
Following the surgery Professor Phil Carson and Mr Paddy Bade said they were delighted with the reconstructive surgery that repaired the Presidents chest injuries. Prof Carson added that sedation would be gradually reduced in the coming days and that the surgery team are confident of a full recovery.
Spokesperson for the President's office Luke Gosling said in a statement from Darwin Hospital today:
"The President's family are very happy with this afternoons operation, thanking all of the Royal Darwin Hospital staff. The family also want to acknowledge the thousands of well wishes from around the world and thanked people for respecting the Presidents need for rest and privacy to ensure a quick and full recovery.
Mr. Gosling said that prior to these events the President had planned to come to Australia in late February for fundraising events to support his anti-poverty initiatives.
Media Contact: Luke Gosling, Office of the President of Timor-Leste, Ph +61 431 637 369
18 February 2008
President Jose Ramos-Horta continues to make a steady recovery in Royal Darwin Hospital.
He is scheduled for a further operation tomorrow and will make a full recovery from the bullet wounds he sustained last Monday in Dili.
Doctors have said that they are very happy with his progress have stressed his need for rest and privacy at this time.
Spokesperson for the President's office Luke Gosling said in a statement from Royal Darwin Hospital today:
" The family and staff of the President are very pleased with the way things are going, he is doing very well, we'll have another progress report after his operation tomorrow'
Mr Gosling said that the family has expressed their thanks for the well wishes that are pouring in from around the globe.
Mr. Gosling said that prior to these events the President had planned to come to Australia in late February for fundraising events to support his anti-poverty initiatives.
Media Contact: Luke Gosling, Office of the President of Timor-Leste, Ph +61 431 637 369
15 February 2008
Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos Horta
The president is still in a serious but stable condition. He is being sedated to help with recovery. He will undergo further surgery today and will remain sedated until at least next week. The President needs to continue to rest and recover and the doctors are pleased with his progress.
Timor-Leste Military Officer Lieutenant Celestino Gomes
Lieutenant Gomes is in a stable condition and has undergone further surgery. Lieutenant Gomes has been assessed by first class neurosurgeons and is continually monitored.
14 February 2008
At the moment the President is progressing along an expected clinical course in the intensive care unit. There have been no complications and we are very pleased with his progress to this point. We expect that over the next few days he will emerge from the sedation that he's been under and will progress towards coming off the breathing machine that he's on. The wounds that were caused by the gunshots have to be revisited over a number of occasions and the dressings changed and that is a routine and that's progressing nicely and that will continue to happen until the wounds are completely healed.
Dr Dianne Stephens, Director Intensive Care Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory.
It is anticipated the next update will be available 15 February 2008
13 February 2008
Dr Phil Carson, Surgeon who operated on East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta
