Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that the policy of the Ministry of Health and Wellness is founded on the principles of family-centred and child- friendly care, which recognises the presence of parents or guardians contributes positively to emotional comfort, reassurance and recovery of hospitalised children. I am also informed that all children below the age of 16 years are admitted and managed by paediatric units. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a general rule, one parent or authorised guardian is allowed to remain with the child at the bedside, subject to prevailing ward regulations infection, prevention and control measures, security requirements, the medical condition of the patient, and the need to preserve privacy, safety and comfort of other patients in the ward. Paediatric wards are predominantly staffed by female healthcare personnel, who facilitate a supportive and appropriate environment for the care of admitted children. In line with the current practice, mothers are encouraged to stay with their hospitalised children in those wards to allow mothers to breastfeed their babies, thereby promoting child’s welfare. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the current health system, general wards are considered as common wards with common toilets and showers for all patients. As such, public hospitals do not have private wards with attached toilets and bathroom. In some wards, dedicated seating arrangement are available for only one accompanying parent, whilst in others, space limitations, ward configuration or ongoing clinical activity may require adjustment. I am informed that allowing the presence of parents, including fathers or guardians, are addressed on a case-to-case basis by the Ward Manager, Nursing Administrator and hospital management, taking into consideration the best interests of the child, medical advice, ward circumstances and any special considerations. As such, appropriate flexibility is exercised whenever circumstances permit. I am further informed that a complaint was received by the Acting Regional Health Director of Flacq Hospital regarding the stay of a father with a son aged 14 months on 12 April 2026. Given that no side wards were available at the Hospital, necessary arrangements were made to provide a suitable space to accommodate both father and his son in Cardiac Ward. However, the father refused the proposal and absconded from the hospital with the child. A precautionary measure was lodged at the Police Force by the Duty Manager on call and the Child Development Unit was informed accordingly. I wish to point out that in this particular case, as already mentioned above, only female nurses are looking after children. In addition, there were mothers who are breastfeeding their children and, in these circumstances, it wasn’t appropriate to allow the father to stay in the ward. Necessary arrangements were therefore made for the father to stay in another ward.

Yes!

Would the hon. Minister confirm that this policy that they have is not apt for single fathers and maybe, he will also confirm whether this same father had sued the previous government, Ministry of Health in the past, and got money for that?

I am not aware what the father did earlier. But one thing is clear, how can I allow, how can the government or the Ministry allow that the fathers to be in wards where mothers are breastfeeding their children, this is illogical. It cannot be accepted and nobody will accept and all the Superintendents of all the hospitals are unanimous on this issue. We have given the father the chance of staying in the cardiac ward. We offered him, he refused and then he absconded, he took the child and ran away. So, in such a case, he is an irresponsible parent and I don’t have anything more to say on that.

Would the hon. Minister agree that there are side wards in paediatric wards, side rooms for such cases and also in that case, if we follow this logic then male doctors should not be working in paediatric wards?

I am sorry, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would request the hon. Member to visit Flacq Hospital. There are no side wards there. In that hospital, provisions are made. How can I allow a male to be with children, small kids where the mothers are breastfeeding their children. This is impossible, unacceptable, immoral and unethical. It can never be accepted.

You have made your point hon. Minister. The hon. Third Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka! BEAU BOIS – CUT-OFF DRAIN PROJECT – PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION