Three in one, yes.

I think, maybe…

Please bear with me, I will be very fast.

I do not think you will manage in five minutes. No. Why do we not break now.

Yes.

And then, you can do that at the beginning when everybody has eaten and everything.

Okay, thank you.

Let me break now, please. Thank you very much. We come back at 2.30 p.m. At 12.55 p.m., the Sitting was suspended. On resuming at 2.30 p.m. with the Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

Please be seated! Hon. Bachoo, you had the floor. Yes, hon. Bachoo! The question has already been put.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I am replying to Parliamentary Questions B/579, B/589 and B/615 together as they relate to more or less the same subject matter. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry provides financial assistance to patients requiring medical treatment not available in Mauritius as follows – (a) Child Cancer Scheme with unlimited financial assistance to young patients up to the age of 25 years suffering from cancer, (b) Paediatric Scheme with similar assistance to children up to the age of 25 years requiring treatment for other diseases and financial assistance up to Rs1,300,000 for treatment overseas to patients who cannot be treated locally, to all patients irrespective of age, subject to the household income not exceeding Rs200,000 a month. The financial assistance is granted to patients based on the recommendation of a medical board whose mandate is to assess the condition of the patient and to submit a report to determine if treatment is available in our public health institutions locally or whether same warrants treatment in private health institutions locally or abroad, the urgency of treatment required and whether the patient will benefit from the treatment. Prior to sending patients abroad, my Ministry seeks treatment plans and quotation from all hospitals with which we have Memorandum of Understanding in India. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that there are private organizations that provide assistance to Mauritian patients who may not be eligible for financial assistance, that is, in cases where the household income exceeds Rs200,000 monthly or the treatment may be available locally or may not be beneficial to the patient. I am also informed that these organizations also send Mauritian patients for treatment abroad, although the medical board has not recommended such treatments due to their medical conditions, particularly their fitness for travel abroad. With regard to organizations collecting funds on behalf of patients, I am informed that such collection is governed by Public Collections Act and as such all applications for public collections must be made to the Commissioner of Police. There are a number of organizations which are exempt from the provisions of the Act. However, institutions sending patients abroad are not exempted. I am further informed that before granting permission for collection of funds, the Commissioner of Police seeks the views of my Ministry. My Ministry informs the Commissioner of Police as to whether any financial assistance has been granted or otherwise. I am also informed by the Commissioner of Police that applications to raise funds for patients requiring treatment are entertained only by individuals and not by Corporate Bodies. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a Minister, I have personally received several complaints about some associations which sent patients abroad for treatment and I cannot ignore those complaints. Some of those complaints relate to terminally ill cancer patients being sent abroad with little realistic prospect of benefit, only for their families to be confronted with astronomical and unsustainable costs. Patients spending their final days in foreign countries, away from their loved ones and in distressing circumstances where families must struggle both financially and administratively, to repatriate the deceased. Undisclosed commission being received by these organizations from foreign hospitals in addition to the fees charged locally, allegations of collision with certain specialists leading to patients being misled regarding treatment options and being sent abroad. A total lack of transparency in pricing, referral pathways and outcomes and instances of illegal public collection of funds exploiting vulnerability and goodwill of the population. My Ministry is taking action to refer these complaints to appropriate competent authorities for necessary action. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, these are not isolated anecdotes. They point to a systemic weakness and potential abuses in a sector that directly affect the lives and dignity of our citizens. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I must state with a sense of responsibility and urgency that at present, these organizations operate in a completely regulatory vacuum. It is regrettably yet another area which has been left unregulated for years, a veritable jungle as a consequence of the lack of foresight and policy direction of the previous administration. Their approach, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, was to encourage the development of a lucrative private health facilitation ecosystem often at the expense of strengthening our public health services and without putting in place the necessary safeguards to protect patients. As matters stand today, my Ministry has no statutory oversight over the operations of these organizations. They do not fall within the existing legal definition of regulated health institutions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is precisely for these reasons that urgent action is required. I wish to inform the House that my Ministry will approach the Attorney General's Office and all relevant ministries with a view to bringing forward appropriate legislative amendments to regulate these activities. In particular, it is being considered that the appropriate Private Health Institutions Act must be amended so as to bring these organizations within a formal regulatory framework and there will be discussions for these provisions to be introduced for the forthcoming Finance Bill 2026, given the urgency and the financial implications involved. Failing that, a stand-alone amendment will be introduced without delay. This reform is not merely administrative; it is about protecting vulnerable patients, restoring trust and ensuring that no Mauritian is exploited at a time of illness and distress. The situation as it stands, is untenable. We cannot allow a system to persist where life and death decisions are influenced in an opaque, unregulated and potentially exploitative environment. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to late E.G.N. also known as Ras Natty Baby, aged 72 years, I am informed that he was admitted at Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital on 23rd March 2026 with a serious medical condition along with comorbidities. The late patient was admitted in the Medical Intensive Care Unit and was managed by a multi-disciplinary team of five specialists. He was kept under close observation and appropriate treatment was administered. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, during his admission at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital, a number of visitors including Junior Ministers, hon. Fabrice David, hon. Veronique Leu-Govind, hon. Marie Anabelle Savabaddy visited him. In addition, I also contacted him to inquire about his health status. The Regional Health Director was also constantly overseeing the treatment provided to the patient. Due to the seriousness of his condition in the Medical ICU, the treating doctors recommended to refer the case abroad after he is completely stabilized. I would like to inform the House that even the hon. Prime Minister inquired from me, about the health status of late Ras Natty Baby. The hon. Prime Minister also spoke to the patient on phone to reassure him of all assistance that Government will provide him with. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am also informed that on or about 6th April 2026, several members of a private organization visited the patient in MICU at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital during visiting hours. On 08 April 2026, while the patient was still in ICU awaiting medical fitness for air travel, one of his close relatives unexpectedly signed a discharge against medical advice, that is, DAMA. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am also informed that the Overseas Medical Care Assistance, OMCA, made arrangements for the transfer of the patient to Park Hospital, Haryana, India where he was admitted on 9th April 2026. The patient was certified fit to travel by a medical practitioner from OMCA and was transferred without any accompanying relative because in such cases, in extreme cases, they are bound to be accompanied by one of their relatives. But here, there were no relatives who accompanied the patient. The close relatives have complained that they were not made aware of the treatment given to late Ras Natty Baby, nor was their consent sought for any surgical intervention. Unfortunately, late Ras Natty Baby passed away on 26 April 2026. On 27 April 2026, my Ministry received a request from our High Commission in New Delhi for a No Objection Certificate to facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains. The said certificate was issued by my Ministry on 28 April 2026 to Eli and Sons Funeral Services without delay. I was also made aware that OMCA had launched a public collection through social media to meet the cost of repatriation amounting to some Rs200,000. On the other hand, the family members of late Ras Natty Baby contacted a Member of Parliament on our side to seek financial assistance from Government regarding the repatriation. On 27 April 2026, at around 4.00 p.m., one Member of Parliament, hon. Junior Minister, Mrs Leu-Govind, who was in close contact with the relatives of late Ras Natty Baby, informed that the relatives were seeking financial help from Government for repatriation of his remains. On the same day, Government agreed to take charge of all the expenses. On 28 April 2026, around 12.45 hours, I received a note from the Parliamentary Member that OMCA expressed its inability to pay the hospital fees, being given that only Rs100,000 was collected for his treatment. That is according to OMCA. At around 1.00 p.m., Government, acting in good faith, agreed to pay for the total hospital and repatriation fees in respect of late Ras Natty Baby. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also noted that the estimated cost of medical treatment claimed by Park Hospital amounted to some Rs1,120,000, while additional amount of Rs80,000 was quoted by Arham Ambulance Services for repatriation of the body to Mauritius. On 28 April 2026, our High Commission in New Delhi was informed that all costs relating to the repatriation would be met by my Ministry. It is also to be highlighted that Mission had already instructed its bank to make necessary arrangements to effect the relevant payment to Park Hospital. It is only at this stage, when this information was already made public, that OMCA informed Park Hospital that since it had sent the patient for treatment, it would take charge of all expenses, including the repatriation of the corpse. However, on 29 April 2026, our Mission in New Delhi informed my Ministry that Park Hospital would hand over the corpse to OMCA Foundation, which admitted late Ras Natty Baby and that arrangements for repatriation would be coordinated by OMCA accordingly. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following subsequent communication from the hospital, our Mission instructed the bank to withhold the payment pending further clarification. The bank is taking necessary steps to ensure that the transaction is reversed and that the funds are restored to the Mission's account.

Hon. Ramdass first! Then, I will come to you.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I understand from the hon. Minister's reply that due consideration will now be given to the introduction of a legal framework to regulate the activities of these organisations. However, in view of the number of complaints received, as stated by the hon. Minister himself, if there have been any malpractices, and it would appear that there have been, would the hon. Minister consider the possibility of having the matter referred to the investigative authorities, such as the FCC or the Police in order for a proper investigation to be carried out and for action to be taken, if any?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the beginning, we were having rumours everywhere. People were murmuring against that institution, but no one had the guts and the courage to come forward. I was also informed that a few cases – this is the information I have – were reported to the FCC, but no action up till now had been taken. But after the death of late Ras Natty Baby, after his death, then, I have seen there have been many complaints coming up, and people have even started writing letters. Well, I cannot pass judgment on those allegations which are being made, but, definitely, I can assure the hon. Member that all these letters will be submitted to the authorities concerned. I can assure the House that no stone will be left unturned in order to see to it that such type of practices do not occur in our country. I get the impression that we are having a parallel Ministry of Health in office in our own country. So, this has to be discouraged. That is the reason why we have to legislate against them.

Hon. Ramdass!

One last question. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. In so far as the patient, late Ras Natty Baby is concerned, I understand that as per the reply of the hon. Minister, the patient proceeded overseas unaccompanied by any relative.

Put your question! Put your question!

So, in that case, could the hon. Minister enlighten the House as to who signed the consent form in order for the additional treatment to be administered to the patient?

Well, I am informed that, in fact, from Mauritius, a DAMA was signed by his son. But in India, who signed the consent form, we have no information about it. That is not known. But the parents and the relatives have complained that they were not even made aware of what type of operation was being undertaken and what type of treatment was being administered to that patient.

Hon. Beechook, yes!

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Can the hon. Minister refer the following matter to the Medical Council, given the fact that five specialists from the Ministry of Health did not give the authorisation for the patient to fly to India for overseas treatment? Another doctor who is employed by the OMCA Foundation gave the authorisation to go abroad for medical treatment. Can this matter be referred to the Medical Council?

I will certainly do it.

Yes, hon. Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. May I ask the hon. Minister, considering the increasing number of unfounded, unrealistic, unproven medical treatments being proposed to innocent victims by many of these organisations, will your Ministry undertake in the short term to have a one-stop shop to advise people as to what sort of treatments are really feasible and what are those that are being taken on a ride just for the purpose of people making money? Thank you.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member being himself an excellent, top- ranking doctor of the country, knows – of course, I am not blowing his trumpet. But this is a fact – very well that when somebody, let us say, has fourth stage cancer, normally, our Government, our authority does not allow him to travel. But here, we find that many dozens of such cases where all of us know what will be the end result. But, unfortunately, they exploit the weakness of these people who really want to save their lives. So, such people fall prey to such organisations. I can assure the hon. Member that we are going to issue an official communiqué also, till such time that the law is amended to warn the public not to fall into the trap of such organisations. These organisations, I get the feeling, are mushrooming now in our country. Instead of one, there are two, and now, there are three or four.

You have answered the question. One last question on this topic by hon. Dr. Prayag.

(Interruptions)

No, no! I have asked hon. Dr. Prayag. You have had your chance!

Thank you, Deputy Speaker, Sir. Would the hon. Minister consider, on an urgent basis, to change modalities for visitors to go to the hospital and to visit patients, especially those admitted in the ICU, or to make it formal so that all visitors give their names, so that people know who are visiting ICUs? Especially those who are not immediate relatives. Thank you.

During visiting hours, it becomes a bit difficult to know who is coming, whether he really a doctor or he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Such people do come! But I will try to assure the House that we are going to keep a register.

The hon. First Member for Rodrigues. JICA BLUE ECONOMY PROJECT – LIVELIHOOD IMPACT & BENEFICIARY GROUPS