Mauritius News

Mauritius marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards building a climate resilient health system faced to the growing threats against climate change with the dissemination of the comprehensive findings of the advanced draft Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment report - spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Green Climate Fund(GCF). “As a small island developing state, Mauritius faces unique threats from climate change—rising seas, extreme weather, and evolving disease patterns. This V&A Assessment report is crucial for understanding how climate affects health and for identifying those most at risk.” said Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative, intervening during the opening of the workshop. Mrs M. Ramkhelawon, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness, emphasized the urgency of the initiative : “Climate change is not a distant threat—it is already impacting our health system. This assessment provides the evidence we need to act decisively and protect our most vulnerable citizens”. Mauritius, despite its strong public health infrastructure and commitment to universal health coverage, remains highly exposed to climate-related threats. Cyclones and floods have led to a resurgence of vector- and water-borne diseases, threatening hard-won progress in disease control – highlighting the urgent need for adaptive and mitigating strategies.

“The afternoon session was of especially interest to me since it dealt with the pediatric management of the Chikungunya disease. The presentations were clinically oriented and simple to understand", said Dr Nasseema Aumeer, Consultant in Charge (Pediatrics & Neonatology) of the Sir S. Ramgoolam North Hospital. Now, I am more confident to diagnose and manage neonatal chikungunya, she added. Dr Aumeer was among the 48 frontline health professionals who joined the high-impact training session, organized by World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the national response to the ongoing Chikungunya outbreak. Midwives, Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) nurses, gynecologists, pediatricians and medical Officers, strengthened their clinical competencies to manage Chikungunya cases, particularly for vulnerable groups such as neonates, children, pregnant women and high-risk adults during the intensive training.

The World Health Organization (WHO) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mauritius for earning its second international award this year for outstanding leadership in tobacco control. Indeed, Mauritius has once again made global headlines—this time as the recipient of the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control, recognizing the country’s bold and pioneering tobacco control At this week’s Global Tobacco Conference in Dublin, Mr. Sarwansingh Purmessur, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, proudly accepted the award from Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. This is the second global recognition for Mauritius in 2025, after the WHO Director General’s Special Recognition Award – received by Hon Anil Kumar Bachoo, the Minister of Health and Wellness during the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025 in Geneva.

WHO has joined forces with VISA NGO and the University of Cape Town to assess the impact of increasing health taxes in Mauritius. Using a simulation tool, the study examined how tax hikes affect tobacco use, government revenues, and premature deaths. 📊 A 15% annual cigarette tax increase could: Boost excise revenue by 55% Reduce smoking prevalence from 18.1% to 17.4% Prevent 11,600 premature deaths by 2029 Even more ambitious action—a 25% annual increase—could: Double excise revenues Lower smoking prevalence to 16.3% Save 19,300 lives by 2029 On 20 June 2025, WHO convened high-level officials from the Ministries of Health and Finance to discuss the findings, presented by the University of Cape Town’s Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products and a WHO taxation expert.

WHO has joined forces with VISA NGO and the University of Cape Town to assess the impact of increasing health taxes in Mauritius. Using a simulation tool, the study examined how tax hikes affect tobacco use, government revenues, and premature deaths. 📊 A 15% annual cigarette tax increase could: Boost excise revenue by 55% Reduce smoking prevalence from 18.1% to 17.4% Prevent 11,600 premature deaths by 2029 Even more ambitious action—a 25% annual increase—could: Double excise revenues Lower smoking prevalence to 16.3% Save 19,300 lives by 2029 On 20 June 2025, WHO convened high-level officials from the Ministries of Health and Finance to discuss the findings, presented by the University of Cape Town’s Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products and a WHO taxation expert.

In a compelling show of unity and determination, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the NGO VISA, and the University of Mauritius came together for a vibrant, three-week-long campaign to commemorate World No-Tobacco Day 2025. The celebrations reached a wide cross-section of Mauritian society — from medical, nursing, and university students to vocational trainees, educators, and prisons officers — all united under one message: Say NO to tobacco, and YES to health. Through workshops, interactive sessions, and awareness activities, participants learned about the dangers of tobacco use, the latest Mauritius Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022, and the cunning strategies the tobacco industry uses to hook a new generation — especially young people — through flavoured, attractive, and tech-driven products. "Don’t be fooled. Resist. Say ‘No’ to tobacco and nicotine addiction and ‘Yes’ to your health," urged Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative in Mauritius, during the campaign’s launch at the University of Mauritius in Réduit. A proud highlight of the event was the celebration of Mauritius receiving the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award for its pioneering tobacco control policies. The award was presented to Health Minister Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva this May. "Mauritius is showing the world that bold tobacco control is not just possible — it's happening," Dr. Ancia declared. "But now is not the time for complacency. We must ensure the new tobacco law is widely known, properly enforced, and effectively save lives — especially those of our younger generations."

“As the new generation, take the lead—donate blood! It gives hope and strengthens our nation’s heartbeat,” urged Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative, on 12 June 2025 at Sir Leckraz Teeluck State Secondary School, during the national celebration of World Blood Donor Day. Dr. Ancia joined the Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Anil Kumar Bacchoo, in encouraging young people to step forward as blood donors. “One unit of blood can save up to three lives,” she told the students, appealing to them to commit to becoming lifelong donors. “Blood donation is far more than a symbolic act of solidarity—it saves lives every day,” Dr. Ancia emphasized. “It supports patients undergoing trauma care, orthopedic or heart surgeries, women suffering postpartum hemorrhage, and children living with conditions such as anemia, thalassemia, or hemophilia.” In his address, Minister Bacchoo highlighted the vital role of blood donation in maintaining a strong and responsive healthcare system. He called on the youth to donate regularly, reminding them that they are the future of Mauritius’ life-saving blood supply.

Mauritius commemorated World No-Tobacco Day on 02 June 2025, engaging nursing, medical, and university students in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the tobacco industry's evolving marketing tactics—particularly those targeting young people. The event sought to alert the youth to the dangers of new nicotine products and strategies designed to initiate addiction and promote harmful smoking habits. Participants were warned about flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, which are engineered to reduce the harshness of tobacco and increase its appeal. Special attention was drawn to the rise of electronic nicotine delivery systems and other sophisticated, attractive devices that are aggressively marketed to young people, luring them into addiction at the expense of their health and future. Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to combating the tobacco epidemic in Mauritius. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to prevent smoking initiation and to support those seeking to quit. The Minister proudly referenced the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award, which he received from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025, acknowledging Mauritius’ global leadership in tobacco control. “We shall leave no stone unturned to make Mauritius a country where no one dies from a preventable disease,” declared Minister Bachoo.

Mauritius commemorated World No-Tobacco Day on 02 June 2025, engaging nursing, medical, and university students in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the tobacco industry's evolving marketing tactics—particularly those targeting young people. The event sought to alert the youth to the dangers of new nicotine products and strategies designed to initiate addiction and promote harmful smoking habits. Participants were warned about flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, which are engineered to reduce the harshness of tobacco and increase its appeal. Special attention was drawn to the rise of electronic nicotine delivery systems and other sophisticated, attractive devices that are aggressively marketed to young people, luring them into addiction at the expense of their health and future. Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to combating the tobacco epidemic in Mauritius. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to prevent smoking initiation and to support those seeking to quit. The Minister proudly referenced the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award, which he received from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025, acknowledging Mauritius’ global leadership in tobacco control. “We shall leave no stone unturned to make Mauritius a country where no one dies from a preventable disease,” declared Minister Bachoo.

Today, the World Health Organization proudly celebrates Mauritius for its relentless and resolute commitments to tobacco control. The country is being recognized with the prestigious WHO Director General Special Recognition Award as part of World No-Tobacco Day 2025. On this Monday 19 May 2025, at the very onset of the 78th World Health Assembly, The Honorable Anil Kumar Bachoo, Minister of Health and Wellness received the Award directly from the hand of the WHO Director General in recognition of Mauritius exceptional efforts in tobacco control. This recognition comes as no surprise. The World Health Organization has long regarded Mauritius as a Global Champion in the fight against tobacco. Mauritius has demonstrated sustained leadership since 2003, supporting the establishment of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). In 2004, the Republic of Mauritius became one of the first parties to ratify the Framework Convention. By 2008, the country had introduced its first WHO FCTC-compliant tobacco control regulations, mandating pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging and implementing a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship — a pioneering move in Africa.