Madam Speaker, cardiac pacemakers are devices with a battery life of around 8 to 10 years. Used to control abnormal heart beat rhythm, beat abnormally low or abnormally higher than normal heart beat. Cardiac pacemaker’s implantations are carried in each of the cardiac units of five regional hospitals as well as the cardiac centre. There are three types of pacemakers – (i) single chamber pacemaker; (ii) dual chamber pacemaker, and (iii) triple chamber pacemaker. Madam Speaker, I am informed that the number of cardiac pacemaker implantations carried out in public health institutions for the period 2021 to 2025 amounts to 1,421. With regard to part (b) of the question, the current stock of pacemaker replacement batteries in our public health institutions is 37. Additionally, all public health institutions carry out local purchase as and when required for emergency cases. Madam Speaker, as regard to the replacement of batteries, I am informed of the following – • the duration of pacemaker batteries is on average 8 to 10 years, and • the appointment to patients with pacemakers is given on a frequency of six months to one year for review. Madam Speaker, let me briefly enumerate the problem faced by my Ministry regarding the procurement of pacemakers. After floating of tenders for annual requirements for implants for pacemaker for Cath Lab, Cardiac Unit, Victoria hospital, an evaluation was carried out and IBL Ltd was selected. Notification prior to award in accordance with the provisions of Public Procurement Act was issued to both successful bidder IBL Ltd bidder A and the unsuccessful bidders on 18 December 2025. Subsequently, a challenge was lodged by one unsuccessful bidder namely, MSJ Unicorn Ltd on 23 December 2025. The case was referred to Independent Review Panel on 05 January 2026. On 02 February 2026, IRP ruled that the bid from IBL was not responsive and directed my Ministry to carry out a re-evaluation of the items by a new bid evaluation team. Accordingly, the new bid evaluation team submitted its report on 13 February 2026 and recommended the award to MSJ Unicorn Ltd. Notifications were issued on 24 February 2026, this time a challenge was lodged by IBL Ltd, the previous selected bidder. The matter was subsequently resubmitted to IRP; the latter suspended all procurement procedures pending hearing of the case. However, given the urgency of the procurement, the more so as the stock of cardiac pacemakers were depleted, my Ministry had no alternative than to have recourse to a Certificate of Urgency issued on 17 March 2026 to waive the suspension of the procurement proceedings imposed by IRP in line with the provisions of PPA. Should the IRP rule in favour of the challenged, the bidder will be reimbursed the cost of participation in the bidding exercise. Consequently, the letter of award was issued MSJ Unicorn Ltd on 24 March 2026 with the first consignment expected to be delivered by 24 May 2026. Such situations handicap the service delivery of health care services unnecessarily.

Thank you. Hon. Ms Henriette-Manan, yes.

Is the hon. Minister aware that a patient from Rodrigues requiring an urgent pacemaker battery replacement has been unable to access the necessary treatment having been referred back at least six times since last year due to supposedly unavailability of the battery pending the completion of the procurement, the tender exercises. Can he propose what immediate measures that can be taken to ensure that such critical medical interventions are not delayed henceforth? Thank you.

This particular case from Rodrigues was referred to me by hon. François, if I am not mistaken. He has already related to me and the needful has been done. This is what information I have got. On two occasions he spoke to me on that issue.

Okay. You have another question? Hon. Ms Henriette-Manan, you have another question? Speak up, speak up! An hon. Member: Stand up!

Yes. The family has approached me; it has not yet been done. He is still waiting for it.

Okay, just follow up.

Well, I have not received any information if this the case. So, tomorrow around 1 pm, the parents can come to me in my office, I will look into it.

Okay.

Every day, I receive public. I have no problem to receive her or him. Okay?

Okay. Are they in Mauritius?

Non, non in Mauritius.

They are in Mauritius? The parents are in Mauritius.

Okay, I will do it.

Okay good. Now, the next question will be for hon. Etwareea! MIDDLE EAST CONFLICTS – MAURITIANS’ SAFETY – ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT