Reply: I wish to inform the House that, until recently, cataract surgeries were primarily being conducted at Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital and New Souillac Hospital. However, in an effort to reduce the waiting list in a sustainable manner, as well as to decentralise these essential services for the benefit of patients, my Ministry kickstarted cataract surgery services on 17 January 2025 at Flacq Hospital. Presently, Flacq hospital is

159 performing 13 cataract surgeries daily, contributing significantly to meeting the needs of our citizens. The number of patients on the waiting list of cataract surgeries is as follows – (i) 1,173 patients at Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital as at 26 January 2025; (ii) 477 patients at New Souillac Hospital as at 26 January 2025, and (iii) 121 patients at Flacq Hospital as at 03 February 2025. (A total of 108 cataract surgeries have already been completed since 17 January 2025). I am informed that in 2023, 1,500 patients were referred to a private clinic for cataract surgeries to the tune of Rs19,000 per cataract surgery, amounting to a total of Rs28,500,000. In the year 2024, 4,200 patients were referred to three private clinics for cataract surgeries. A total of 1,400 patients were referred to each of the three private clinics at the cost of Rs21,000 per cataract surgery, amounting to a total of Rs29,400,000 payable to each clinic. The last batch of patients is expected to be completed by mid-February. The total cost for referral of cataract surgery patients since 2023 is to the tune of Rs116,700,000. EMMANUEL ANQUETIL GOVERNMENT SCHOOL – TELEPHONE LANDLINE CONNECTION