Madam Speaker, I am informed that my Ministry is currently undertaking a comprehensive human resources for health assessment with regard to the medical and nursing cadre with a view to determining present and projected staffing requirements, identifying critical gaps and informing evidence-based workforce planning and policy decisions for the health sector. As per statistics available, the total number of nurses and doctors required on a daily basis to cope with the workload in public health institutions varies according to the services. Hence, the number will differ on weekdays and weekends. I am informed that on average 1417 doctors including medical and health officers and specialists and 1715 nurses are required on a daily basis. Madam Speaker, upon my assumption of office, I took cognizance that there was a critical shortage of doctors and nurses at the level of all public health institutions, resulting in significant overtime work, bank sessions and extra session of all grades and this situation was also resulting in increasing absenteeism and burnout. In view thereof, the Budget 2025-2026 provided for the recruitment of additional nurses and doctors namely, the recruitment of 1000 trainee nurses over the next three years since 2025. In addition, provision was also made for recruitment of 50 medical and health officers and 30 specialists among others to reinforce the staffing of my Ministry in these critical grades. Madam Speaker, with regard to part(a) of the question, I am informed that there is a total of 1236 medical and health officers and 1965 nursing officers in post. My Ministry has recruited a total of 101 medical and health officers and 12 specialists. 14 more medical and health officers are expected to assume duty in the coming months. The recruitment of 46 specialists is in progress. Furthermore, my Ministry is amending the scheme of service of the grade medical and health officer to ease the recruitment of doctors. Madam Speaker, the House may also wish to note that there are 123 medical and health officers who are on leave, either for studies or other purposes. In order to palliate for their absence, my Ministry has recruited 43 medical and health officers on contract. In view of the non-availability of registered doctors on the local market, it is not possible to fill all the vacant positions. Madam Speaker, as regard nursing staff, I am informed that each year, approximately 60 nursing officers retire on reaching the age of 65. In addition, a significant number of nursing officers leave the public service for various reasons, further exacerbating the shortage. Madam Speaker, 223 trainee nurses were enlisted on 22 September 2025 following a vacancy advertisement and are undergoing a 3-year course at the Central School of Nursing. In addition, 138 trainee nurses who joined the training 3 years ago, will complete their training by August 2026. Madam Speaker, I am informed that the recruitment of nurse educators is currently underway as part of a strategic initiative to transcend training capacity with the health care system and ensure the continuity of training. This measure is intended to enhance the quality and output of nursing education, support the expansion of training programmes and ensure a sustainable number of qualified nursing officers who are available to meet present and future service delivery needs. Madam Speaker, my Ministry has expanded the range of services to respond to evolving needs in patient care including diabetic footcare, renal transplant, cardiac services and geriatric services among others which necessitate the deployment of additional doctors and nursing staff for the effective operationalisation. However, in view of the prevailing shortage of medical and nursing personnel across public health institutions, further introduction and full implementation of certain new services cannot be envisaged at this stage. Madam Speaker, to address the significant shortage of staff in nursing cadre, the following measures have been taken by my Ministry to address the shortfall – 67 nursing officers are currently employed on a month-to-month basis; 45 retired nursing officers are presently employed on a sessional basis on the bank scheme; Approval was obtained for recruitment of 126 nurses on sessional basis. However, only 35 nurses assumed duty following offer made to 41 eligible candidates, and Employment of 15 nursing officers on contractual basis for a period of one year is underway. Madam Speaker, I am also informed that the scheme of service for the post of nursing officer has been amended in November 2025 to provide opportunities for candidates who have successfully completed recognised nursing programme other than the central school of nursing such as Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd and other universities to be recruited in the government service. Madam Speaker, with regard to parts (b) and (c) of the question, I am informed that the recommendations of the Pay Research Bureau 2026 provide both retention mechanism for serving nursing officers and incentives to enhance attractiveness of profession for school leavers. I am informed that officers of nursing officer cadre are allowed to accumulate vacation leave beyond the authorised ceiling with the option to work during the excess accumulated leave period and received payment in lieu at the time of retirement. Provision is also made for the refund of unutilised casual leave. These measures contribute to improve conditions of service and serve as an incentive for retention. Madam Speaker, in addition nursing officers are granted release to follow Continuous Professional Development courses as they are required by law to obtain a minimum of 10 CPD credit points annually for registration with the nursing school. This facilitation of continuous training and professional development not only support the retention of experienced staff, but also enhances the overall appeal of the nursing profession to prospective entrance, including school leavers. Madam Speaker, in line with the budgetary measures in financial year 2025-2026, my Ministry will pursue further recruitment of 700 trainee nurses in the two subsequent years. But in view of the shortage of qualified candidates locally, it is unlikely that such recruitment exercise will yield positive outcome. In view of the circumstances, a proposal to recruit 200 nursing officers from abroad is under consideration by my Ministry, subject to all necessary approvals are being obtained. This measure is intended to compliment ongoing local training and recruitment initiative for the short term. Madam Speaker, my Ministry remains firmly committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce, which is crucial to ensure the continued delivery of quality service in public health institutions.

Thank you. Yes, Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Obviously, we do have an ongoing shortage of nursing personnel in this country. May I ask the hon. Minister whether he will consider the setting up of a foundation programme run by the Mauritius Institute of Health that can be used as a template for those who, unfortunately, do not meet the criteria to enter the Central Nursing School of the Polytechnics. This will boost the number of school leavers or those who are lesser achievers to get into a career of nursing? Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Minister!

Madam Speaker, we have already revised the scheme of service. We have brought it slightly down so as those who are getting training in the universities, those who have university degrees, and those who are diploma holders from the universities and Polytechnics, they will be authorised and they will be allowed to compete. They will be allowed to take part in the selection exercise. Unfortunately, though we have done that, there has not been any good return. There has not been too much of interest into it. I have no objection if tomorrow we could start a crash course or an important course by the Mauritius Institute of Health. We can do it. Our main problem is: I do not know what is the mentality of our youth these days. They are not willing to come towards the health sector. But I will try, if such is the suggestion, I am going to look into it. But I can tell that actually, there are many who have already undergone training at the Polytechnics and in the universities. Unfortunately, they are not willing to join the service. Although, according to the PRB report, they have been given a lot of incentives. But I will try, if this is an advice.

Okay. Hon. Dr. Prayag!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Maybe the hon. Minister could consider to get new recruits to sign bonds so that they work for at least a few years before they go to other sectors or the private sector?

Madam Speaker, they will take to their heels once I take this decision. It is impossible!

I did not understand, I am sorry. I did not understand your reply.

My reply is simple: If in case I am going to introduce it, all of them will run away!

Okay.

I will not have anyone to serve in the hospitals.

Okay. Yes, hon. Rookny!

Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister advise whether his main reply as regards to the recruitment of nursing trainers – as we need more–does it not contradict with the actions of the Polytechnics in not renewing the contracts of some twenty nursing trainers?

The Polytechnics does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. But I am told they were contractual workers. Here, in our case, the Mauritius Institute of Health was a very flourishing organisation – a very important organisation internationally recognised. Unfortunately, during the last ten years, they have destroyed everything. That is the reason why we have to recreate it now, and we have to recruit trainee nurses so that the new recruits can get the best form of training. That is the only reason.

Okay. Yes, Dr. Prayag!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. But what if the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Education sponsor education for nursing students and then get them to sign bonds so that they stay in the service?

You know, to start with, they are not interested. Our problem is we had advertised; they are not interested in coming. If they are not interested in coming, how can you ask them to sign a bond? We have to create an atmosphere where they will take an interest to serve. So, the aspect of service is not there. That is the problem.

Okay. You will have time to brood on it, all of you. It sounds like a very important issue. The hon. Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac! EDUCATIONAL SECTOR – PROPOSED REFORM