Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the National Cancer Centre, currently manages approximately 21,000 active cancer cases. According to the latest National Cancer Registry which is published annually, a total of 2,841 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Mauritius during the year 2023 comprising 1,205 cases among males and 1,636 cases among females. The primary focus for treatment at the National Cancer Centre includes blood cancers and solid tumours or abnormal tissue masses that develop in organs or tissues. The NCC in Mauritius provides comprehensive treatment for the most common cancer diagnosed in the country. Among males, the Centre treats cancers that are prostate, colorectal regions, lungs, stomach, ENT, head and neck. For females, the NCC offers specialised care for breast, colorectal, endometrial, ovarian and cervical cancers, which represent the main cancer type affecting women in Mauritius. A total of 295 cancer patients have received treatment at the Radiotherapy Department of NCC. Major modalities of treatment include chemotherapy and surgical oncology. I am informed that chemo sessions are predominantly conducted at NCC with 1,200 sessions per month and 1,500 chemotherapy sessions delivered monthly across the island in all regional hospitals. Since Government took office, I took note that all equipment were lying idle. Consumables and medicines had expired, and no surgery was being carried out. Over and above the introduction of a second linear accelerator in December 2024, more patients have received radiotherapy at the centre. A full-fledged surgical Oncology Unit is operational at NCC since February of this year whereby 175 cancer patients have undergone surgery with technical assistance from foreign teams in certain cases.

72 With regard to part (b) of the question, the National Cancer Centre has successfully completed the installation, commissioning and licensing of its state-of-the-art PET CT scanner, SPECT-CT scan, Dexa scan and HDR Brachytherapy, marking a significant milestone in the enhancement of hybrid diagnostic imaging in Mauritius. I wish to inform the House that the operational license has already been granted on 07 July 2025. As at date, 15 PET scan studies have already been carried out on a pilot basis. This number will increase in the coming weeks so as to allow more patients to benefit from this advanced diagnostic equipment. In addition, my Ministry is having consultation with the Republic of India for acquiring the services of an Oncosurgeon to carry out onco surgeries at the New Cancer Centre on a regular basis, thus sustaining the oncosurgery programme.

Thank you. The hon. Third Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien! CAMP CAROL & KENYA – STATE LAND REGULARISATION