Reply by the Prime Minister: I shall reply to Parliamentary Questions B/118 and B/132 together as they relate to the same subject matter. The Mauritius Ports Authority is required under Section 5 of the Ports Act to prepare and periodically update a port master plan for Mauritius and Rodrigues with a view to formulating its policy for port development and land use. The Port Master Plan 2024 for Port Mathurin recommends short to medium term measures to make optimum use of the existing facilities thereat. These include – (i) increasing the container stacking height; (ii) integrating the ex-slaughterhouse area and ex-marketplace area within the container yard; (iii) creating an off-dock container freight station, and (iv) re-arranging the container yard. The container traffic for the year 2025 stood at 15,759 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units at Port Mathurin and with the implementation of these combined measures, the capacity of the port would increase to approximately 32,800 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units. The Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing these measures which would address the issue of congestion. In this context, the Mauritius Ports Authority has earmarked a total area of about 5,500 m2 of land within the Port area for that purpose. I am informed that the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd has appointed a consultant on 30 June 2025 for the planning and design of the project which would include the expansion of storage capacity of the yard, construction of a modern depot and a warehouse, upgrading of infrastructure and acquisition of cargo handling equipment. The Report was submitted by the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd to the Mauritius Ports Authority on 15 October 2025, for its consideration. Upon vesting of the land which is expected in July 2026, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd would initiate procedures in September 2026 for the execution of the works. This project is expected to be completed by June 2028. Moreover, to improve the delivery of containers, the Mauritius Ports Authority has also identified the existing ex-boat yard site, presently occupied by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, for the development of a container freight station which will allow all stuffing and destuffing activities to be undertaken thereat. Discussions are ongoing for the Rodrigues Regional Assembly to relinquish its leasehold rights for subsequent allocation to Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd to develop the container freight station. I am further informed by the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd that with a view to increasing efficiency, an amount of Rs14.7 million has been earmarked by Port Associated and Portage Operations, Lighterage & Cargo Services Ltd (PAPOL), one of its service providers, for the replacement of container handling equipment. To that effect, in December 2025, one 45 tonnes Reach Stacker had been shipped to Port Mathurin. Two tractor trucks, one seven tonnes Forklift and one trailer are expected be shipped thereto in April 2026. The coming into operation of these equipment would have a positive impact on the port operations and the delivery of the cargoes to consignees. In addition, I am informed that the Mauritius Ports Authority is presently in the process of acquiring four small tugs, at the estimated cost of Rs150 million each. One of these tugs would be positioned at Port Mathurin to improve operational efficiency. Commissioning is expected by mid-2028. The Port Master Plan 2024 for Port Mathurin equally recommends in the long-term, the construction of a new commercial quay and associated terminal facilities. The new development, requiring an investment of approximately Rs4.6 billion, would include, inter- alia, the construction of a 175-metre-long commercial quay with associated dredging and reclamation works, container stacking area and port administration and passenger terminal building. As I indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question B/915 on 28 October 2025, these recommendations would be considered as part of the modernisation process to develop our ports. CHILD DEVELOPMENT UNIT – CHILDREN IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS – EDUCATIONAL FOLLOW-UP