Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that since November 2024 to date, my Ministry through the Medical Board has examined 27,308 cases of invalid's basic pension applications, out of which 17,181 have been allowed, which represents 63% allowed out of the total examined cases. And 10,127 have been disallowed, which represents 37% disallowed out of the total examined cases. The reasons for applications being rejected by the Medical Board are that they do not meet the criteria set out in the present medical guidelines and those vary from case to case. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to Medical Appeal Tribunal, which also falls under the Medical Unit of my Ministry, at present, a person whose case has been disallowed by the Medical Board has the right to make an appeal to the Medical Appeal Tribunal. The Medical Appeal Tribunal is chaired by a representative of the Attorney General's Office and comprises two members, namely two specialists in relevant fields. I am informed that since November 2024 to March 2026, 7,631 cases have been assessed by the Medical Appeal Tribunal, out of which 2,923 were allowed, which represents 38.3% cases which are examined by the Medical Appeal Tribunal. I also wish to add that previously, waiting time to determine an appeal was approximately three to five months. Currently, I am informed that waiting time from the moment of application to appearing before the Medical Appeal Tribunal is around one to two months. Though lots remain to be done, I must say that there has been a slight improvement during the period queried by the hon. Member. The reform on disability pension will further improve and remedy the waiting time, thus reducing the burden of our citizens. Let me once more inform the House that this Government is not insensitive to the complaints of applicants of invalid basic pension. As part of the reform of disability pension, my Ministry has drafted an update medical guideline as part as part one of phase one of the reform in consultation with medical practitioners and specialists serving the Medical Board and Medical Appeal Tribunal, which has been sent to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for validation. The phase one of the reform through the updated medical guidelines will introduce functional criteria for a more fair and efficient determination of disability limitations of the different pathologies, as well as introduce new inclusive living allowances for those having a disability estimated in between 40% to 59%. I am happy to announce in this Assembly that the Ministry of Health has just provided its views and comments regarding the new medical guidelines and same is being looked at the level of my Ministry. I wish to thank the hon. Minister and the Ministry of Health for their rigorous work. After the finalisation of the new medical guidelines, we will go to the Ministry of Finance for financial clearance and change the law for implementation. I can reassure the hon. Member that measures taken up to now and measures being envisaged in the near future will enhance the efficiency and fairness of the determination process, thus at the same time, putting human dignity and care at the centre of my Ministry's service. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Yes, hon. Dr. Ms Daureeawo?

Could the hon. Minister specify the main medical conditions or categories leading to rejection?

I do not have the specific information but the criteria are determined by the medical guidelines and the regulations in the National Pensions Act, that is, the degree of disability needs to be 60% or up.

Do you have another one? Yes?

And could the hon. Minister state whether the composition of the Medical Board is considered adequate in terms of specialist diversity?

The Medical Board is composed of the doctors employed by the Ministry of Social Security, whereas at the Medical Appeal Tribunal, there are two specialists.

The hon. Second Member for Grand Baie and Poudre d'Or! CONSTITUENCY NO. 6 – PIPE LAYING WORKS & REPAIRS – ROAD REINSTATEMENTS