the recent reported cases of assault on medical practitioners at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and the Sir A…
(No. B/337) Dr. S. Prayag (First Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the recent reported cases of assault on medical practitioners at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and the Sir Anerood Jugnauth Hospital, he will for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to where matters stand regarding the inquiries initiated thereinto, indicating – (a) whether arrests have been effected in connection therewith and charges lodged, and (b) the additional measures being envisaged, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, to enhance the safety and security of healthcare officers.
Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that two incidents have been reported at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and one at Sir Anerood Jugnauth (SAJ) Hospital, as follows – (i) on 10 March 2026, Dr. (Ms) D.B, Medical Health Officer at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital reported to Rose-Belle Police Station that she was victim of verbal and physical assault by a female patient on 09 March 2026; (ii) on 31 March 2026, Dr. M. S, Medical Practitioner at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital reported to Rose-Belle Police Station that he was victim of assault by four men, on 30 March 2026, at his place of work, and (iii) on 29 March 2026, Dr. T.S., General Practitioner at SAJ Hospital, reported to the Flacq Police Station that he had been physically and verbally assaulted on the same day by a group of 20 unknown persons. With regard to part (a) of the Question, concerning the assault on Dr (Ms) D.B. at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, the alleged assailant, one Mrs V.E.R. aged 52, was not arrested as she is currently bedridden. With regard to the assault on Dr. M.S. at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, two persons, namely Mr. J.L.M.E. and Mr J.A.P.L. were arrested on 01 April 2026. They were provisionally charged before Grand Port Court on 02 April 2026 for the offence of “Assaulting an agent of civil authority causing the effusion of blood”. They are both detained at Rose Belle Police Station. They will appear in court on 14 April 2026, that is, today. Regarding the assault on Dr. T.S. at SAJ Hospital, on 02 April 2026, two persons, namely Mr A.B. and Mr S.M., were arrested and provisionally charged before the Flacq Court for the offence “Assaulting an agent of civil authority”. They were bailed out on 06 April 2026. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that 13 Police Officers are currently deployed at SAJ Hospital, and 9 Police Officers at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. They are deployed on a 24/7 basis and operate on three shifts. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness that private security services are already available in all regional hospitals. The Ministry is considering the possibility of the deployment of additional security personnel at different strategic points within hospitals. On 31 March 2026, hon. Anil Bachoo, Minister of Health and Wellness held a press conference whereby he strongly condemned the aggressions against healthcare professionals on duty and pledged for firm legal action against the perpetrators. I totally concur with the serious concerns expressed by hon. Bachoo. Such irresponsible conducts will not be tolerated and immediate actions will be taken against perpetrators. To this end, the Commissioner of Police in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, is currently reviewing its deployment plan in hospitals, to have an increased number of Police Officers posted at the five regional hospitals, for enhanced safety of medical, paramedical, staff and patients. PLAINE CORAIL AIRPORT – NEW RUNWAY CONSTRUCTION