Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that in November in 2021, Gift of the Givers Foundation, which is the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent, informed this Ministry through the

60 Prime Minister’s Office that they were in the capacity to donate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines to Mauritius. It is good to note that an evaluation committee set up at the Ministry reported that the CPAP machine granted as CSIR L.I.F.E. was a very basic device. It was a non-invasive ventilator which was not registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. It was authorised to be used only for emergency ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was not appropriate for use in COVID High Dependency Unit or COVID Intensive Care Units, but could be used in COVID wards in the general hospitals. Madam Speaker, after complying with the requirement for the donation, the South African Government’s National Development of Health was agreeable to donate 500 CPAP machines to Gift of the Givers for onward donations to Mauritius. The foundation later informed that the final donation would contain 501 CPAP machines and 2,500 spare circuits packed in 167 boxes. The Ministry was expected to cover the cost of the shipment from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa to SSR International Airport, arrange for customs clearance and bear the logistic costs for the storage, transportation and distribution of the machines in public hospitals in Mauritius. At the time of shipment, the agent reported that the donor informed that out of 167 boxes expected for donation, 14 boxes were damaged and a further two could not be sent since the serial number of the machine did not match those on the packing list. Eventually, only 135 boxes were shipped to Mauritius at a total coast of Rs318,449.07, excluding VAT. The shipment reached Mauritius on or about 01 July 2022 and was delivered to Central Supply Division, Castel of the Ministry of Health and Wellness for storage and distribution. The 139 boxes were verified with the procurement officer of the CSD and were reported to contain a total of 415 CPAP machines with an expiry date of October 2022 instead January 2023 as labelled on the boxes. Madam Speaker, 354 out of 415 CPAP were distributed among public health institutions. One was issued to the High Commissioner’s Office of the South African High Commission, and 16 units have been expired and are still stocked at the CSD. With your permission, Madam Speaker, a detailed distribution list is being tabled.

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Thank you. Hon. Dr. Prayag, good? Now, the Fourth Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, hon. A. Duval! BIRCHAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – RECOGNITION & ACCREDITATION