Madam Speaker, as you are aware, the e-Health Project was initially launched, under the Indian line of credit, prior to the 2014 general elections, but was shelved for unknown reasons following the change in government in December 2014. It was reinitiated only in 2022, where the former government, through a portfolio agreement with the UNDP, appointed as implementing partner, with full responsibility for procurement and overall project management. Accordingly, the contractors were selected by the UNDP together with the former government. Since then, the implementation of the project is being managed by the UNDP. Initially, the system was expected to go live by December 2024. This deadline was not met due to serious operational, technical, and coordination delays, largely resulting from gaps in planning, insufficient groundwork, and limited oversight by the former government. In particular, site readiness constraints, including electrical works and connectivity issues flagged by the UNDP, remained largely unaddressed, thereby delaying successful implementation. Madam Speaker, following my assumption of office in November 2024, together with my colleague, hon. Dr. Avinash Ramtohul, we reviewed the project. We were faced with two options: either to scrap the project altogether or to salvage it. Given the substantial public investment already made, we chose the latter, despite the herculean task of rescuing a project that had fallen significantly behind schedule. We then took immediate actions to address the shortcomings, accelerate progress, and move the project into implementation, with a clear focus on delivery and tangible outcomes. To that end, an inter-ministerial committee was established to provide close oversight, strengthened coordination, enhanced accountability and transparency, and ensure timely resolution of issues in line with the project objectives and revised timelines. As of today, Madam Speaker, the Ministry, through the Digital Health Agency, is closely monitoring the project at granular level through a structured Project Monitoring Committee, bringing together the UNDP, the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, users and other relevant stakeholders. The PMC is addressing key implementation issues and operational requirements for the effective nationwide roll out of the first phase. The pilot phase is being used to address matters relating to system stability, completeness of patients’ records and data, and scalability. The platform stabilisation stage is expected to be completed within the next three months, after which deployment will be extended towards the regions and health centres. Change management principles should also be applied to ensure full user adoption in the best interest of patients and the healthcare sector. I am pleased to apprise the House that the system is actively being used and tested by Medical Records Officers, Nursing Officers, doctors, specialists, and pharmacists. As at date, the e-Health System has recorded more than 153,200 patient registrations, 287,800 visits, 32,700 file mappings, 43,000 appointments, 8,000 admissions, 7,400 discharges, and 281,100 doctors' consultations. Madam Speaker, in Region 3, the system has already been deployed across 29 sites, including New Flacq Hospital, Bel Air, Lady Sushil Ramgoolam Medi Clinic, and several health centres. The pilot project has also been extended to other regions. In Region 4, deployment has started at Grand Bois and L'Escalier Medi Clinics, while file mapping is underway at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. In Region 5, the system is already deployed at the ENT Hospital, with file mapping is underway at the National Cancer Centre. For Regions 1 and 2, preparatory works are ongoing. These includes infrastructure readiness at Brown Sequard Mental Healthcare Centre and Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital, as well as electrical upgrade planning at SSRN Hospital and its sub-stations. Madam Speaker, with regard to the expected completion dates, the pilot phase, including the platform stabilisation, is expected to be completed by October 2026. The system will thereafter be progressively scaled up across all hospitals and health centres, with full implementation targeted by the end of 2027. It should, however, be recognised that the e-Health Project is a major and complex national undertaking, involving multiple technical, operational, and institutional dependencies. An agile implementation methodology is being adopted, allowing progressive deployment, testing, and refinement based on user feedback, technical performance, and lessons learned. The progress and timelines will be continuously monitored and adjusted where necessary to ensure controlled and sustainable implementation without compromising system quality, cybersecurity, patient's safety, or continuity of health services. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that a total amount of USD 7,420,768 has been paid to the UNDP, under a portfolio agreement, which covers e-Health Project as well as several other digital initiatives. The portfolio agreement also includes, but not limited to, the Laboratory Information Management System, Border Health Control System, including all-in-one travel form, digital health strategy and legislation, capacity building, as well as change management, project management, and implementation support by the UNDP. Of this amount, USD 6,975,652, representing approximately 94% of the total amount, has already been paid before November 2024 by the former government, while the remaining USD 445,116 was paid by the present government in June 2025. I am further informed that following a procurement exercise conducted by the UNDP, the contract, specifically, for the e-Health Project was awarded to a consortium, in January 2024, for an amount of USD 4,440,576.66. Out of this amount, I am informed that the UNDP has already disbursed a cumulative sum of USD 2,746,091.19 to the consortium through a series of payments, each linked to the successful completion of specific contractual deliverables and milestones. The remaining amount of USD 1,694,484.47 is still pending and will be paid by the UNDP following successful completion of all remaining deliverables. In addition, associated infrastructural works, including electrical works, network readiness, IT equipment, and other site readiness requirements, are being financed separately, under the government budgetary provisions, in support of phased roll out of the project, amounting to Rs257.1 million, and payment is being effected in accordance with the terms of payment. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, I wish to inform the House that pursuant to a Cabinet decision of 16 August 2024, Government approved the setting up of a dedicated entity for the administration and long-term sustainability of the e-Health Project. The company, namely Digital Health Co. Ltd, was thereafter incorporated on 19 September 2024, under the Companies Act 2001, as a state-owned company operating under the aegis of my Ministry. Government has also approved that the company be administered by a board comprising, among others, representatives of my Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Finance, and the Attorney General's Office. The board members were appointed in accordance with the relevant provisions and procedures under the Companies Act 2001. It should be noted that the names of directors of any company are available in the public domain and may be obtained through the Registrar of Companies. Nevertheless, for the sake of transparency, I am tabling the full composition of the present board, together with the qualifications of its members. Madam Speaker, the company is currently being managed by a senior public official in the grade of Permanent Secretary, designated as Officer-in-Charge, with support from officers of my Ministry. As regards the staffing of the company, recruitment is being carried out progressively in line with the approved organisational framework through public advertisements, screening, shortlisting, and interview under the supervision of the board. Following a recruitment exercise, 28 Digital Health System Officers have been appointed, out of whom, only 19 are in post as at now. These officers are being deployed across hospitals and health regions. Madam Speaker, the implementation of the e-Health System remains a high priority for Government. It represents a long-standing aspiration for the modernisation of our public health service, and through sustained efforts, we are now seeing real signs of progress. The system is presently in its pilot and platform stabilisation phase, with close monitoring to address technical, operational, and user-related issues. Further work is ongoing to enhance reliability, streamline processes, and ensure a better experience for patients and healthcare personnel. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Member!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Minister confirm, regarding the Digital Health Agency which runs the e-Health Project, whether budget allocation has increased from 25 million to 45 million, and give the reason thereof? Thank you.

Well, I do not have in mind the exact sum which has been voted. But if the sum has been voted, it is because we have to recruit, and at the same time, we are trying to expand. In the beginning, it was in its initial stage, and that sum of money was not needed. In fact, we have returned Rs19 million back to the Consolidated Fund. We did not use the money. But now, as and when the work is progressing, we have got plenty of work to do. For example, there are two regions where, practically, nothing was done by the previous government, and for that, money is required. I believe that being given it is governed by the Companies Act, it means they are completely independent. They take their own decisions. But, definitely, as far as matters of finance are concerned, it is my responsibility as a Minister to look into it. I can assure the House that each and every rupee will be utilised for the best of the system.

Yes. Put your question.

Thank you. A last one. Thank you, Madam Speaker. As the hon. Minister has tabled the list of directors, can he inform the House what the salaries of directors are? Has there been any increase for the next fiscal year? Can he give the details? Thank you.

I do not have it in mind exactly, but, in fact, this was approved by the special committee, which is chaired by the Secretary to Cabinet. The decisions were taken. This is considered to be Grade A Company according to the company rule. Not an additional single rupee additional will be paid to them. Whatever is prescribed by the Act, that much will be paid, that is, not much.

Okay. Next question. Hon. First Member for La Caverne and Phoenix! VACOAS-PHOENIX PUBLIC GYMNASIUMS – FIRE CERTIFICATE & OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY COMPLIANCE