Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that up to the year 2000, all foreign patients including tourists, foreign students, foreign workers and other non-citizen visitors or residents seeking treatment or undergoing medical investigations in our public health institutions were required to pay for their treatments. In March 2001, a policy decision was taken to exempt foreign nationals holding a valid work permit from the payment of inpatient treatment fees in our health institutions. In 2020, the Ministry proposed the waiving off of treatment fees for foreign nationals who are married to Mauritian citizens and hold a valid residence permit. However, this proposal was deferred by the then Government. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that with effect from March 2025, the Ministry’s current policy provides for exemption of treatment fees for foreign nationals married

59 to Mauritian citizens. This exemption applies to treatment received at public hospitals and healthcare facilities, subject to the production of relevant documentary evidence such as marriage certificate and proof of residence. Furthermore, foreigners holding a valid work permit or occupational permit continue to benefit from exemption from treatment fees under the same policy. There have been instances where foreign patients have sought treatment at regional hospitals without the financial means to cover the cost. On humanitarian grounds and in line with the principles of universal access to healthcare, such patients have not been denied treatment. Accordingly, there have been several cases in which medical care has been provided to these individuals, free of charge. Madam Speaker, with regard to outstanding payments owed by expatriates and foreign nationals for treatment received by public healthcare institutions, I am informed that the total outstanding amount for inpatients currently stands at Rs360,970 for five patients. Madam Speaker, I further wish to inform the House that hospitals are actively following up with patients to recover outstanding fees. In cases where patients are facing financial difficulties, payment facilities are granted, allowing them to settle their treatment fees in instalments.

Thank you. Yes, Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you. In view of this current Government’s interest in making healthcare available to all, may I ask the hon. Minister whether, his Ministry would recommend the use of visual display units in each different hospital, that would depict the services that are provided to expats – (i) which services against type of payment; (ii) which services would be free such as in emergency cases, and (iii) as you rightly said, there are now some who have been exempted and that at least, for any expatriate who goes to our public hospital, they know beforehand what is awaiting them in terms of payment. Thank you.

Well, I will look into the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

Yes, sounds reasonable. Thank you.

60 Now we have the hon. Fourth Member for Rodrigues, Mr Edouard! RODRIGUES - UNIVERSITY CAMPUS PROJECT