Africa-Press – Mauritius. The International Consultant working with the World Health Organisation , Dr Lisa Johnson, met the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, this afternoon, at the New Treasury Building, in Port-Louis. She was accompanied by the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs Christine Umutoni.
Dr Lisa Johnson has been assigned by the UN agencies, the responsibility of carrying out the People Who Use Drugs survey (PWUD) which is an initiative of the National Drug Secretariat of the Prime Minister’s Office.
She is currently in Mauritius for an official visit to prepare her report following data collection and data analysis. In a statement after the meeting, Dr Lisa Johnson said that she discussed with the Prime Minister issues regarding the PWUD and underlined that the discussions were excellent.
According to her, the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, is much aware and concerned of the drug abuse related situation in Mauritius. He is looking forward for the results and will subsequently take the necessary actions, she said.
The Consultant also informed that the focus is to come out with strategies to address problems associated with people using drugs as well as how to improve our response. She further stated that they also discussed as to how to use resources and efforts for helping people and to ensure that Mauritians are safe.
In addition, she indicated that the data collection for the survey is completed, and they are working on its second component with is the qualitative part for which contextual information is being derived from focused groups.
Dr Lisa Johnson pointed out that the sample consists of 600 people and the target population was those aged 18 years and above. A draft report will be elaborated in November, following which the final report will be submitted in December, she said.
