What You Need to Know
The newly inaugurated Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre at Triolet Mediclinic aims to improve healthcare services for diabetes patients in Mauritius. The facility offers comprehensive services, including diabetic screening and education, to enhance early detection and disease management. Health officials emphasize the urgency of addressing diabetes as a major health challenge in the country.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre was inaugurated this morning at the Triolet Mediclinic, marking a significant step in strengthening healthcare services for patients with diabetes and related vascular conditions.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; the Minister of Local Government, Mr Ranjiv Woochit; the Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mrs Anishta Babooram; Member of the National Assembly, Mr Kaviraj Rookny; the Acting Regional Health Director, Dr Vinod Kumar Dwarkasingh Allgoo; and other personalities.
The Centre provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof, including diabetic retinal screening, a diabetes education room, family planning services, dietetic counselling and a diabetes foot care clinic, amongst others. The facility aims to enhance early detection, improve disease management and reduce complications associated with diabetes.
In his address, Minister Bachoo highlighted that diabetes remains one of the most pressing health challenges facing the country, noting that nearly one in five adults is living with the disease. He further pointed out that close to one in three individuals with diabetes are unaware of their condition, which delays diagnosis and increases the risk of severe complications such as kidney failure, blindness and amputations. He stressed that these figures underline the urgency of strengthening both treatment and prevention efforts.
The Minister also underscored the importance of prevention, stating that new measures are being implemented to strengthen early screening and support individuals at risk of developing diabetes. He announced that structured programmes are being introduced to help newly diagnosed patients better manage their condition and, in some cases, achieve remission, thereby reducing the long-term impact of the disease on individuals and the healthcare system.
For his part, Minister Woochit spoke about the need to reinforce coordination between health institutions and local authorities to improve the delivery of healthcare services in Mauritius. He stated that stronger collaboration at community level is essential for effective outreach on non-communicable diseases and the promotion of preventive health actions. Mr Woochit further underlined that local authorities should support public awareness campaigns and help ensure that people have early access to screening and treatment services, so as to improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on public health facilities.
As for Mr Rookny, he emphasised that patient care should go beyond treatment to include understanding and support, given the psychological burden of the disease. He also pointed out the importance of educating patients on healthy lifestyle choices, stating that the Centre should serve as a place of hope and guidance to help them better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
Diabetes has become a significant public health issue globally, with rising prevalence rates in many countries, including Mauritius. The establishment of specialized health centers, like the one at Triolet Mediclinic, reflects a growing recognition of the need for targeted healthcare services to manage chronic diseases effectively. Such initiatives aim to provide patients with better access to care and support, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. In Mauritius, nearly one in five adults is affected by diabetes, highlighting the critical need for enhanced prevention and treatment strategies.
