Madam Speaker, I am informed that presently Specialists/Senior Specialists are posted to Rodrigues on a monthly tour of service in the following specialities – • Anaesthesia; • General Medicine; • General Surgery; • Obstetrics and Gynaecology;

86 • Orthopaedic Surgery; • Paediatrics; • Radiology. In other specialities, the duration of the tour of service varies depending on the demands from Rodrigues in terms of the number of patients awaiting specialist services. Madam Speaker, I am also informed that in addition to the monthly visit, Specialists/Senior Specialists in the following fields are sent on short visits to Rodrigues at the following frequency – • Cardiology – 8 times yearly; • ENT/Ophthalmology – 6 times yearly; • Oncology – 5 times yearly; • Gastroenterology, orthodontics, nephrology, and physical medicines – 4 times yearly; • Dermatology, neurosurgery, oncology, oral surgery, plastic surgery – 2 times yearly, and • Gastroenterology – once yearly. Madam Speaker, I am further informed that from January 2024 to date, in addition to the short visits, a total of 90 monthly tours of service to Rodrigues have been effected in the fields of anaesthesia, general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic surgery, paediatrics, and radiology. Madam Speaker, I have taken note that in certain fields like dermatology, neurosurgery, oncology, oral surgery, plastic surgery, and gastroenterology, the frequency of short visits is inadequate. I wish to assure the House that the frequency of these short visits will be revisited.

Okay, the hon. Second Member for Quartier Militaire-Moka. CHILD DEVELOPMENT UNIT – REFORM & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING