Reply: I wish to inform the House that since January 2024 to date, cases of assaults in public hospitals were reported as follows – - 3 cases (non-medical staff) at SSRN Hospital; - 1 case (non-medical staff) at J. Nehru Hospital; - 1 case (non-medical staff) at Mahebourg Hospital; - 5 cases (2 doctors, 1 nurse and 2 non-medical staff) at New Flacq Hospital; - 12 cases (10 doctors and 2 nursing staff) at Victoria Hospital, and - 1 case (non-medical staff) at ENT Hospital. No cases of assault were reported at Souillac, Dr. AG Jeetoo, National Cancer Centre, Brown Sequard Mental Health Care Centre and Subramania Bharati Eye Hospitals. As regards the measures to prevent such occurrences, I wish to inform the House that Notices have been affixed in all public health institutions to draw the attention of the public at large to the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act wherein fine and imprisonment are inflicted in cases of assault. In addition, CCTV cameras have been installed in sensible

182 zones of hospitals. Furthermore, private security guards have been posted at the strategic points in hospitals as a deterrent. Police officers posted at the Hospital Police Posts also conduct regular rounds in the Casualty and Outpatient departments at regular intervals. All cases of assaults are reported to the Police Post of respective hospitals. Except for cases reported as precautionary measures, the police usually investigate into the cases which are subsequently referred to appropriate Courts of Law prior to any sentence or fine being administered. LE BOUCHON, CARREAU ACCACIA – PIG FARM/S – RELOCATION