Africa-Press – Mauritius. The National Action Plan for Oral Health 2022-2027 was launched, this morning, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Quinze Cantons Government School in Vacoas.
On this occasion, an award ceremony for winners of the school’s Smile Contest was held, a short video clip on Oral Health was launched, and oral health kits were symbolically distributed to students.
The Vice-Prime Minister (VPM), Minister of Education Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr Gilbert Bablee, and other personalities were present at the launching ceremony.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that he was himself a student of Quinze Cantons Government School and shared his past experiences with children present.
Speaking about the National Action Plan for Oral Health 2022-2027, he highlighted that it bears a significant importance as it is will contribute to achieve one of Government’s priorities which is promoting a better quality of life for the whole population.
He underlined that Government is ensuring that access to quality health treatment is readily available to citizens and emphasised that health services being offered must be patient-centred. Furthermore, the Prime Minister spoke on the need to regularly consult a dentist so as to ensure that one’s teeth and oral hygiene are healthy.
In order for children to be healthy citizens of tomorrow, he added, there is a need to ensure that they do not adopt bad habits such as smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, but instead practice a regular physical activity. This, he said, will reduce the risk of developing a non-communicable disease.
Prime Minister Jugnauth underscored that the distribution of oral health kits to children will definitely help to sensitise them so that they can in turn raise awareness among their relatives on the need to maintain a good buccal hygiene.
He also seized this opportunity to commend the contribution of the WHO in the elaboration of action plans for Mauritius. Before concluding, Mr Jugnauth appealed to parents to inoculate their children with best practices against the COVID-19 virus so as to protect themselves as well as everyone around them.
He also expressed hope that all the 91,000 children concerned receive the vaccine. For her part, VPM Dookun-Luchoomun emphasised that a good oral hygiene enables one to be more self-confident. Speaking to children, she urged them to avoid eating sweets between meals and to brush their teeth at least twice daily.
In addition, the VPM stated that this National Action Plan for Oral Health 2022-2027 of the Ministry of Health and Wellness aims at encouraging the development of a good oral hygiene at a young age.
As for Minister Jagutpal, he observed that June is the month of oral health and stressed on the importance of maintaining a good oral health so as to avoid eventual health issues, especially for those who are already suffering from comorbidities.
Dr Jagutpal appealed to children present to set the example in their surroundings. He also dwelt on enhancement works being undertaken in the health sector so as to continuously propose better service to the population.
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