Madam Speaker, I am informed that the maximum number of chambers in different mortuaries is as follows –  SSR Hospital – 12;  Victoria Hospital – 9;  SAJ Hospital – 18;  Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital – 12;  Brown Sequard – 6;  Dr. Bruno Cheong Medical Centre – 9;  New Souillac Hospital – 6. Mortuary facilities comprise space for performing autopsies as and when required and cold room for storage of corpses in chambers. These facilities existed at Dr. AG Jeetoo Hospital since inception, but over time, the cold room became defective and beyond repairs. My Ministry has already initiated actions for the installation of a new cold room for storage of corpses at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital. Madam Speaker, as regards part (a) of the question, I am informed that on 11 December 2023, a contractor was awarded the contract for supply installation, testing and commissioning of a cold chambre for the mortuary of Dr. Jeetoo Hospital with a capacity to accommodate 12 bodies. It was due to be delivered within 8 to 12 weeks as from the letter of acceptance; works should have been completed by 04 March 2024. The supplier supplied the cold room on 01 July 2024 and installation was ongoing. In January 2025, an inspection was carried out during which several shortcomings were noted such as workmanship, traces of rust on interior frames, defective lighting features, excessive condensation amongst others. Despite that the contractor was informed on several occasions to remedy the situation; an inspection carried out by the electrical engineer of the Ministry of National Infrastructure in August 2025 revealed that several issues had remained unsolved. Madam Speaker, meetings were held at the level of my Ministry. The contractor and the advice of Attorney General’s Office was sought. The latter advised that although the Ministry is entitled to terminate the contract for non-performance, such action may result in a higher cost and delays. I am informed that my Ministry accepted the proposal of the contractor for the provision of new equipment for the cold chambre at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital with expected delivery date of 29 January 2026 at no additional cost to the Ministry. Dismantling and carting away of existing equipment had been completed and the consignment would be shipped by air instead of sea expediate delivery. I have been informed that the request of the supplier to supply, install and commission the equipment within two months had exceptionally been acceded to and the supplier has been requested to submit the delivery date. Madam Speaker, in respect of part (b) of the question, I have been informed that as an interim measure, my Ministry is procuring two refrigerated beds at hospital level. Tenders have already been launched with closing date on 18 March 2026. In addition, corpses are being transferred to the mortuary of other public hospitals. Madam Speaker, as regards part (c) of the question pertaining to the installation of a separate mortuary facility, the matter has been referred to the Commissioner of Police for consideration.

Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker, I have listened very attentively to the answer given by the hon. Minister with regard to the delay in the implementation of a proper mortuary room at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital. May I ask the hon. Minister whether he thinks it is advisable once again to give a further contractual agreement to a company that failed in toto to respect the specifications which it was given in the first place for mortuary namely, as he said: electrical defects, humidity but above all – sizes. I have been there; he has given mortuary that were fitted only for young adolescents and children. I think, in my honest opinion, hon. Minister, we should seek somebody else. We have waited a lot.

I totally agree with the hon. Member but advice was sought from the State Law Office. The advice that I have received is that if you are going to terminate the contract for non-performance, such action may result in higher cost and delays. And, secondly, well, the hon. Member is aware that for such type of works, we have got hardly a few contractors and they do not even want to tender for such type of works. That is the reason why we have given him the last chance and at the same time at no additional cost from us. So, we are awaiting – this is the last chance we are giving, I do hope that they are going to accede to requests and the work will be completed because I am aware of the problems that inhabitants of region are facing. I can assure the hon. Member that I am looking into the case personally.

Yes, Dr. Aumeer!

A quick question. Thank you, hon. Minister. May I ask the hon. Minister, in these circumstances as have happened at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital and which may happen in other regional hospitals in regard to keeping corpses for mortuary facilities or even autopsy, whether we should have readily available, as he just said recently, what we call refrigerated beds and cooling rooms that are readily available for those particular hospitals in the event that we have a shortage of places to keep the bodies of loved ones and prevent the psychological trauma that people of Port Louis particularly have had with regard to Dr. Jeetoo Hospital? Thank you.

As far as other hospitals are concerned, we never had any such problem, we have ample facilities. It is only exceptionally in Dr. Jeetoo Hospital that we had the problem and that is the reason why we have ordered for the acquisition of two refrigerated beds. But at the same time, I will have a look at other mortuaries where we have got corpses which are lying since long – even these have to be dispensed to ... There is a question on this, I am going to answer.

Okay! Hon. Dr. Aumeer, are you okay now?

I am fine.

Okay! PQs B/43 and B/44 have already been replied by the hon. Prime Minister. MIDDLE EAST GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS – IMPACT ON FOOD SECURITY – MEASURES & DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES