Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, upon receipt of an alleged case of medical negligence within the public health institutions, my Ministry initiates the necessary action to refer the case to Medical Council of Mauritius for an in-depth investigation. I wish to inform the House that my Ministry has referred 155 alleged cases of medical negligence registered within the public health institutions to Medical Council of Mauritius for the period of January 2020 to date. Out of these 155 cases, 140 cases have been investigated and 15 are awaiting investigation. Of the 140 investigations initiated at the level of Medical Council of Mauritius, 130 cases have been put aside and 10 cases have been referred to Medical Disciplinary Tribunal. Regarding the 10 cases referred to the Medical Disciplinary Tribunal, 4 cases had been referred to the Public Service Commission for inflicting sanctions while five cases are still under investigation and one had been withdrawn. With regard to part (b) of the question, the sanction that are imposed in confirmed cases of medical negligence are in accordance with Section 46 (e) Part V of Public Service Commission Regulations. I wish to inform that the sanctions taken depend on the severity of the case. I am also informed that one Medical Practitioner has been interdicted so far. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I must confess that I am not satisfied at all with the way complaints have been dealt with so far. At times, complainants have had to wait for years to know the outcome of enquiries. This is the reason for which my Ministry is revamping the procedures for investigating cases of alleged medical negligence within our public health institutions. These new procedures have been designed to streamline investigations, ensure greater accountability and ultimately enhance patient safety across our healthcare system. There is now a preliminary investigation at the level of Regional Health Hospitals for each case of suspected medical negligence to ascertain the facts and determine whether an appropriate course of action is taken. In addition, a Medical Negligence Board is being set up within the Ministry. The Medical Negligence Board may call any officer concerned and the complainant or

63 complainants for further explanations if required and eventually submit a report to the Acting Senior Chief Executive of my Ministry with his recommendations for further actions. Moreover, the implementation of clinical auditing is being planned with the setting up of a Clinical Audit Committee in each speciality, chaired by the relevant consultant in charge. The committee will identify key areas for auditing, collect and analyse relevant data and compare the findings against established clinical guidelines and best practices. The Ministry has also introduced a weekly mortality meeting which is chaired by the Regional Health Director in each hospital. These meetings involve relevant consultants and are dedicated to scrutinise all deaths within the hospital. The primary aim is to identify any preventable causes and ensure that there are no lapses in care. To complement these measures, the Medical Council Act will also be amended to further streamline and expediate the procedures for dealing with cases of alleged medical negligence. This will ensure that investigations are conducted promptly and efficiently allowing speedy actions where necessary.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, considering the fact that it has been taking quite some time for investigations to reach an end, is there any provision in the procedures to allow victims and families of victims to have information about where the investigations have reached?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is the reason I have mentioned that I am not happy at all the way things were being conducted. That is the reason why the different committees have been set up. I can assure the hon. Member this is being done in all transparence so that the complainant will come to know what has been done. He will be called as and when required.

Yes, hon. Juman, you have a question?

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Hon. Minister, you mentioned that there has been a withdrawal in a case at the level of Disciplinary Committee. Can I know the reason of the withdrawal among the number of cases?

There has been one withdrawal. I have heard that the Medical Council itself has dropped the case because the case was not brought properly before the Council. This is the impression that was being given. They had not properly prepared the case.

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I am allowing one last question on this. Yes!

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. May I ask the hon. Minister whether he will consider having re-training courses for those who are sanctioned repeatedly by the Medical Council, at the level of his Ministry? Thank you.

I will take note of this suggestion.

Hon. Third Member for Vieux Grand Port and Rose Belle! PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS – DEPLORABLE STATE – CIVIL WORKS AUDIT