Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member for her renewed interest in this particular reform. Madam Speaker, the present system has caused much suffering and indignity for our people. Thus, the disability pension reform represents an important and much awaited step towards ensuring that the disability support system in Mauritius becomes more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the real needs of persons with disabilities in their daily lives. As I previously informed the House in my statement made to the Sitting of the National Assembly of 08 July 2025, and in my replies to the Parliamentary Questions B/501 at the Sitting of 13 May 2025 and B/842 at the Sitting of 07 October 2025, my Ministry is currently working on a reform initiative for disability-related pensions. The major reforms that were identified include, inter alia – (a) the introduction of a hybrid assessment model to replace the 100% medical-based model; (b) the introduction of a graduated support model to replace the all or nothing model, and (c) the introduction of multi-disciplinary assessment panels to replace the medical boards. Madam Speaker, Government, at its meeting of 28 November 2025, took note of the status of the proposed reform, which would be implemented over two phases, namely –  Phase 1 which will include the updating of medical guidelines for disability assessment and the introduction of a graduated support model whereby those deemed not eligible for the Basic Invalidity Pension (BIP) could qualify for an Inclusive Living Allowance (ILA). The ILA will replace the Disability Allowance and its quantum will be revised higher. The Disability Allowance is currently Rs2,500 per month, and there are only around 750 beneficiaries as compared to 28,000 beneficiaries for BIP.  Phase 2 which would include the introduction of a hybrid assessment model based on both medical and functional criteria as well as the replacement of the current medical boards with multi-disciplinary assessment panels. Thus, also conforming to the human rights-based approach recommended by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its concluding observations of September 2024 on Mauritius’ compliance. Madam Speaker, currently, my Ministry is completing Phase 1 of the proposed disability reform, particularly an enhanced medical guideline for disability assessment, as the existing one dates back to 2016. Many shortcomings and gaps have been identified in same. This Phase 1 reform initiative has involved significant technical works so far. I am proud to say that it was all an in-house and local expertise inputs. Back in October 2025, inputs and insights have been gathered by way of survey questionnaire from the medical practitioners of the Medical Unit of my Ministry, who serve the medical boards, which operate under the aegis of the aforementioned unit, to identify the gaps and challenges regarding the effective implementation of the medical guidelines. Subsequently, in November 2025, a series of consultative meetings have been held with medical specialists from both the public and the private sectors, who serve on the Medical Appeal Tribunal, which operates under the aegis of the Medical Unit of my Ministry. A draft revised medical guideline has already been worked out by my Ministry and submitted to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for validation early this year. The revised guideline will place greater emphasis on functional disability and limitations in activities of daily living, introduce more comprehensive criteria for assessing long-term health conditions, and improve the consistency and transparency of disability assessment as well as reviewing the re-assessment period for the renewal of benefits. Thus, the core of the technical work for the implementation of Phase 1 has been completed by my Ministry. We are now expecting validation by the end of this month from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Madam Speaker, in parallel, we have also worked out the financial implications and the number of new beneficiaries of the proposed reform. The estimate of Phase 1 of the reform is some Rs5 million per year. Consequently, financial clearance would be sought from the Ministry of Finance, including for the proposed introduction of the new Inclusive Living Allowance. Cabinet’s approval would be sought accordingly for the implementation of Phase 1 of the reform in this financial year. It would amount to around Rs125 million, while Phase 2, subject to all clearances being obtained, is projected to be implemented within 12 months of the implementation of Phase 1. For now, let us keep our fingers crossed. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Yes!

May I request the Minister, in light of the reform that has been announced, to please make sure that people who have one of their legs chopped, lower limb chopped or are half blind in one eye, do not have to go to medical boards every year in order to secure their pension? It is common sense that their leg is not going to grow or perhaps they will never recover their eyes. So, I do not understand why these people are requested to go and appear in front of a medical board every year.

I thank the hon. Member. This issue is being taken onboard by Phase 1 of the reform.

Okay. Yes, hon. Dr. Ms Daureeawo!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the hon. Minister consider amendments with a view to strengthening the appeals mechanism, more particularly, reducing delays for such appeals?

Yes, we are making quite substantial and significant efforts to reduce the time for people to go to the medical boards. We hope that Phase 1 of the reform will ease the re-assessments and appeals to the Medical Tribunal.

Okay, one more! Then, hon. Juman.

Can I add to what hon. Beechook stated earlier on? Will the hon. Minister consider introducing or implementing regular reviews in the law to ensure decisions to discontinue pension claims are fair and consistent?

We will take this into consideration, hon. Member.

Of course! Yes, hon. Juman!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Minister, can I know whether the proposed reform will also consider to review the Carer’s Allowance?

The current allowance?

Carer’s Allowance.

Okay.

This is not part of Phase 1 of the reform, but the redefinition of the criteria of the Carer’s Allowance is being reviewed. It was in our manifesto to upgrade the Carer’s Allowance, and all will depend on the financial situation of the country and the budget. But we will make the proposal. Last year, we made a proposal for the gradual increase of the Carer’s Allowance, but the economic situation was not good enough to cater for this.

Yes! You are very popular, hon. Minister!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Being given that the draft guidelines have already been forwarded to the Ministry of Health and is now awaiting approval, is the hon. Minister in a position to confirm to the House whether he is willing to accept those families who are suffering prejudice, whether it can be dealt with a fast-track system?

In the meantime, you mean?

In the meantime!

Yes!

We will consider it and see but... My friend is working very hard on the validation of the Phase 1 of the report.

Okay! An hon. Member: …

Oh my God! I know it is a very sensitive issue.

Yes, please go on!

Dr. Ms Daureeawo first; it was her question!

Okay, thank you, Madam Speaker. Are there plans to digitalise the whole monitoring and application process?

Yes, there was. I answered a question last year in Parliament. The ESS system is being implemented and we hope that in two years’ time the whole system of social security will be digitalised.

Okay, Dr. Prayag, then Dr. Aumeer, then Mr Lobine!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Given that the carer’s allowance causes prejudice to the female population of beneficiaries, given that it depends on the household income for the beneficiary, can we even consider to phase it out, if not, then, consider to take an action concerning it quicker than waiting for the Phase 2?

The proposal will be made by the Ministry in the context of the coming budget, then it won’t be my decision, it will be a governmental decision.

Yes, Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the event of the major disability reform being implemented, may I request the hon. Minister to see with the Members of the Medical Board that they have a more compassionate approach to the chronically ill and those who are bed-ridden, so that they are not to be asked to come on stretches and in ambulances at the Medical Board to be assessed but rather send a doctor at home for assessment? Thank you.

I thank the hon. Member for this observation. We are aware of the difficulties of many people to attend medical boards and we have taken a decision that all the people above 90, the medical assessment is being done at domicile.

Above 90?

Above 90! Now, we are trying to reduce it to 85 and then 80. This is the objective.

I think we are going to be in trouble. I have Mr Lobine, I have Mr A. Duval and it seems it’s a question which is of great interest.

Yes, I love it!

I don’t want to do…

This means that the reform is an important one!

Hon. Minister, since on 09 December, I got carried away and I am sorry, my dear Chief Whip. I don’t want to get carried away today although I also feel very strongly about it. Mr Lobine!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister, is he in a position to inform the House how many pending appeal cases do we have? Because it seems that a lot of people are waiting for their appeal to be heard. Do you have such a list or figures so that you can provide to the House, please?

I don’t have the list but I can table it if you want. But I can say that out of 100 cases, examined by the Board, 70% are granted and the 30% is going to the Medical Tribunal. But I can get the correct figures. I already gave it to the National Assembly previously.

Okay, Mr A. Duval!

In fact, it’s on the same question. It had been reported in the past that more than half of the cases on appeal are overturned decisions of the Medical Board. One reason being that they do not have specialist doctors. The second reason being that they do not have access to medical files of the patients. Therefore, is the hon. Minister going to look into that aspect with his reform urgently to ensure that people are given a fair consideration for their application?

Of course, this is a major issue that will be taken in Phase 1 and in Phase 2. Thank you.

Yes, last one! I understand it’s a very touchy issue. Last one!

Yes, can this exercise be made more scientific and systematic, so that we don’t have so many people who go on appeal? Because that 60% criteria is too debatable.

It is precisely what we are changing.

Oh my God! Dr. let’s keep it. Talk to each other, please! C’est insatiable cette question ! Okay, vous allez parler entre vous. Je suis sûre que vous allez trouver des solutions. Let me carry on because we haven’t got much time left. Now B/51 is already answered, Ms Anquetil. B/52 is again Dr. Ms Daureeawo! PROMOTION OF SPORTS – OCTOBER 2024-17 MARCH 2026 – INITIATIVES/PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED