What You Need to Know
The Squint 4.0 Project was launched at the Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital in Mauritius, aiming to enhance access to pediatric eye care. Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Bagatelle, the initiative focuses on consultations and surgeries for children with strabismus, addressing a backlog of cases and promoting early intervention.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Squint 4.0 Project, a healthcare initiative aimed at improving access to paediatric eye care, was launched, yesterday, at the Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital in Réduit Triangle, Moka.
The project, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Bagatelle in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Rotary Club of Pondicherry-Agaram, aims to fast-track consultations and corrective surgeries for children suffering from strabismus, while reducing the backlog of cases and preventing long-term visual and psychological complications.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; the Junior Minister, Ms Anishta Babooram; the District Governor of Rotary International District 9220, Mr Bernard Leong Son; the President of the Rotary Club of Bagatelle, Ms Nafeesha Kinoo; and the visiting Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Dr Milind Killedar, who is on his fourth visit to Mauritius. Other distinguished guests included representatives from the health sector, members of the Rotary Club, medical personnel and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project.
In his address, Minister Bachoo highlighted that the fourth phase of the Squint Project reflects Government’s continued commitment to strengthening healthcare services and improving access to specialised treatment. He explained that squint is a condition affecting eye alignment and can lead to serious visual impairment, learning difficulties and social stigma if left untreated. He also emphasised the importance of early detection and timely intervention, noting that the project aims to accelerate consultations, provide corrective treatment including surgery, and raise awareness on eye health among the population.
The Minister further expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club of Bagatelle and its partners for their sustained collaboration, as well as to Dr Killedar and his team for their expertise and humanitarian contribution. He also acknowledged the longstanding support of India in the development of Mauritius’ healthcare sector, describing the initiative as a transformative effort that not only improves vision but also enhances confidence, educational outcomes and overall quality of life.
For his part, Mr Leong Son stated that health remains a key priority within Rotary’s avenues of service, with numerous initiatives undertaken across the district to improve access to medical care. He described the Squint Project as a life-changing initiative that not only restores vision but also helps address the psychological impact associated with the condition.
As for Ms Kinoo, she indicated that the fourth edition of the Squint Project marks an important milestone, particularly with its extension to Rodrigues for the first time. She highlighted that this phase enabled 166 consultations, 56 squint surgeries and two additional eye surgeries in Mauritius, as well as 15 consultations and three surgeries in Rodrigues, thereby broadening access to specialised eye care services. She also underscored the significance of the project being implemented in the new environment of the Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital, which offers a more reassuring and child-friendly setting for patients and their families.
The Squint 4.0 Project
The Squint 4.0 Project focuses on improving access to specialised paediatric ophthalmology services through collaboration with international medical experts and local healthcare institutions. This year marks the fourth edition of the project and, over these four years, the initiative has enabled more than 600 consultations and over 200 surgeries. It facilitates the provision of consultations and surgical procedures, supported by a visiting team of specialists, thus contributing to strengthening the national healthcare response to eye disorders among children.
The Squint Project has evolved over four editions, significantly improving pediatric eye care in Mauritius. This initiative, supported by the Rotary Club and local health authorities, has facilitated hundreds of consultations and surgeries, addressing critical eye health issues among children. The collaboration with international experts has strengthened local healthcare capabilities, ensuring better outcomes for affected children. The project also emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent long-term complications.
