Africa-Press – Mauritius. The achievements and projects for the health sector for the year 2022 were highlighted, today, by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, at the seat of the Ministry in Port Louis.
Dr Jagutpal, at the outset, expressed satisfaction as regards Mauritius’ second position in Africa in terms of the vaccination programme against the COVID-19.
He also pointed out that the Health Promotion and Reseach Unit and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Department of the Ministry received the Public Service Excellence Award 2021 and the Presidential African Association for Public Administration and Management last week in South Africa.
The successful implementation of the Strategic Plan to fight against the COVID-19 has enabled activities to kick-off again in the country, he stated. Speaking on the vaccination programme against COVID-19, the Minister pointed out that as at December 2022, 81.4 % of the population have been inoculated with a first dose of the vaccine and 78.5 % are fully vaccinated.
The Regulations under the Quarantine Act has been extended till 28 February 2023, he stressed, adding that the vaccination campaign is ongoing in the 12 Centres across the country. At the level of public health, Dr Jagutpal indicated that no cases of Chikungunya and MonkeyPox has been recorded.
Regarding the MonkeyPox, he stated that it is henceforth termed as MPOX by the World Health Organization adding that 1000 vaccines have been ordered from a Danish Firm, Bavarian Nordic.
Referring to other viral infections, Minister Jagutpal pointed out that this year the country recorded 12 imported cases of Dengue and 40 imported cases of malaria.
A total of 117 cases of tuberculosis has also been registered. The vaccination against Measles stands at 90 %, he said, while emphasising that the Ministry provides MMR vaccines to babies of 9 months and 17 months.
From January to October 2022, 8 659 babies have been vaccinated with a first dose of MMR and 9 418 babies inoculated a second dose. A workshop on measles, he said, was also conducted in November of this year.
Regarding the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV), Minister Jagutpal stated that from 2016 till 2022, 90 000 girls have been vaccinated. In 2023, the HPV will be extended to boys with the use of the Nonvalent vaccine.
As regards the Sterile Insect Technique, he pointed out that it was launched in October to decrease the mosquito population. As for Public Health and Safety Inspectorate, he recalled that the Food Act 2022 and the Mauritius Food Standards Agency 2022 have been introduced.
He further emphasised that the Department of Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry, has carried out 80 000 inspections from January to October 2022 and the Department Environmental Health Engineering Unit has analysed some 3 950 samples of drinking water.
The introduction of several Action Plans including the National Action Plan 2020-2024 to reduce harmful use of alcohol; the National Action Plan for Tobacco Control 2021; the National Cancer Control Programme 2022-2025; the National Action Plan on Breastfeeding 2022-2027; and the National Action Plan on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2022-2027 was also highlighted by the Minister.
Speaking on health promotion in the country, Dr Jagutpal enumerated projects undertaken comprising screening campaigns for a healthy nation carried out at Rose Belle, Phoenix and Grand Baie.
To this end, he spoke of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) survey 2021 showcasing positive signs of people more involved in physical activity. “A total of eight Tobacco Cessation Clinic has been also introduced in all regional hospitals”, he stated.
Elaborating on primary health care, he pointed out that the Preconception Care has been introduced at the level of Area Health Centres and Mediclinics for couples to better plan pregnancy.
The decentralisation of health services was underlined by Minister Jagutpal whereby people who used to go to the Jawarlal Nehru Hospital at Rose Belle can go to Mahebourg or Souillac hospital.
As regards ophthalmology services, Minister Jagutpal mentioned that around 7 000 operations have been carried out in 2022. As for cardiac surgeries, 919 have been performed from January to December 2022.
Highlighting the several initiatives of the Ministry to provide adequate health care facilities to the population, he dwelt on the 24/7 hour specialist services implemented in regional hospitals; the assistance of 25 visiting doctors and their team to Mauritius to carry out surgeries in different domains; and the provision of overseas treatment to the tune of some Rs 56.8 millions to 244 patients.
Concerning the e-health project, he observed that the Ministry has signed a project portfolio with the UNDP. As regards medical negligence cases, Dr Jagutpal pointed out that 51 cases have been reported to the Medical Negligence Standing Committee.
The training of staff of different grades, reinforcement of personnel through recruitment and the Dangerous Drugs Act 2022 voted at the National Assembly this November were brought forth by the Minister.
Other projects include the launching in September 2022 of the campaign PREP – Pre Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV/AIDS and the launching on 2 December 2022 of the Banian Centre in collaboration with PILS.
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