Madam Speaker, the Rodrigues Commission for Health operates under the umbrella of Rodrigues Regional Assembly and is the primary governing body for health services in Rodrigues. The Commission for Health collaborates with my Ministry but maintains its distinct co-operational structure within the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. My Ministry provides support and collaborates with the Commission on specific health projects in Rodrigues.

65 Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that a delegation headed by the Commissioner for Health and others were in Mauritius in May 2025. Following discussions, it was proposed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the health services in Rodrigues. Subsequently, a team comprising of the Director of Health Services, the Biomedical Engineer and the Senior Healthcare Technologist of my Ministry proceeded to Rodrigues from 09 to 14 June 2025 to carry out an analysis of the major medical equipment in various departments including their medical laboratory at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Following the evaluation of their medical equipment, including respiratory devices and anaesthesia work stations in Rodrigues, various shortcomings have been identified as follows – a) Healthcare technologists have not been recruited to cater for life support and critical equipment; this is a very serious shortcoming; b) Preventive maintenance has not been carried out in a systematic manner; c) 6 ICU ventilators were lying idle at Mont Lubin Isolation Centre, and d) Unused equipment stored in poor environmental conditions that may lead to unnecessary breakdown. The Report also provides a number of recommendations with a view to implementing good practices in the utilisation of these machines so as to minimise the risk of unnecessary breakdown and causing disruption of essential services. Madam Speaker, I am further informed that pursuant to an invitation by the Commission of Rodrigues for Health, a high-level dialysis capacity assessment mission was conducted by the National Dialysis Coordinator in Rodrigues from 19 to 23 June 2025. To evaluate the current status and future needs of renal care services, this mission provided a strategic platform to assess service delivery and identify areas for improvement at the Rodrigues Dialysis Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Crève-Coeur. Madam Speaker, my Ministry acts promptly whenever a weakness in the health services is reported. Now, as regard to carrying out a full medical health audit in Rodrigues is concerned, this will require time and expert resources. I, therefore, propose to approach the World Health Organisation and request the services of an expert to carry out the full medical health audit in Rodrigues.

66 Madam Speaker, notwithstanding our proposal, I wish to reassure the hon. Member, that my Ministry will continue to provide assistance with the Commission for Health for the reference of patients from Rodrigues to Mauritius for comprehensive treatment and care, capacity building of medical and para-medical staff, sensitisation of the population on various public health issues and non-communicable diseases, evaluation on the accessibility and quality of health services, state-of-the-art equipment, modern infrastructure among others. Madam Speaker, in this context, a multidisciplinary team will be set up to collaborate with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly so as to achieve improved health equity, better service delivery and enhanced patient outcomes aligned with the principle of universal health coverage and I propose to lead the high-powered level delegation to Rodrigues in the coming month to look into these aspects.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Yes! Don’t comment, questions !

I was going to comment.

No, then you sit down! I am sorry. I am saying it very nicely. You are not here to comment. The hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River! NLTA – PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE LICENCES – BUSES – 2014 TO 2024 – MONETARY ALLOCATIONS