Mauritius News

The World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and dignified working environment for all including staff, internal and external stakeholders and partners. In line with the global PRSEAH strategy, the WHO Mauritius technical team led by the WHO Representative, Dr Anne Ancia and the PRSEAH Focal Person, Mrs. Doorgawatee Ram-Gopal, sensitised some 60 senior officials including health workers and other frontliners from the Commission for Health and the other Commissions and NGOs on the importance of WHO PRSEAH policy implementation in the Republic of Mauritius including outer island Rodrigues. The sensitisation took place from 1–2 October 2025 through interactive sessions and sharing of experiences. The participants were sensitized on the key principles and concepts of the PRSEAH policy which promotes a culture of prevention, accountability, and zero tolerance for sexual misconduct across all WHO-supported activities—ensuring that no one is left behind. This continued collaboration between WHO and the Government of Mauritius, including high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reaffirms the shared responsibility of all on PRSEAH. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility – highlighted both the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Nicolas Volbert, and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Child Development at the opening of the training. ‘Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse should be our Top Priority’, also echoed Mr.Nicolas Volbert to the high officials at the opening of the Session on 01 October, 2025. Together, we are building a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness with the support of the World Health Organization rolled out the National VigiMobile Programme at Sir Aneerood Jugnauth (SAJ) Hospital, Flacq on 17 September 2025 to mark the World Patient Safety Day this year. For the first time, all hospitals and pharmacies in both public and private sectors in Mauritius will be equipped with this digital tool, enabling all health professionals—doctors, nurses, and pharmacists—to report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) in real time.  This real-time data reporting system is critical to ensure patient safety. The launch was attended by Mr. Jugmohunsing, Permanent Secretary; Dr. Ancia Anne, WHO Representative in Mauritius; Mrs. Maharaj, Deputy Permanent Secretary; Dr. Sookmanee, Regional Health Director, SAJ Hospital; and Mrs. Gopee, Ag. Director of Pharmacy Services, alongside health professionals from across the sectors. Virtual interventions by Dr. Sujeet Jain and Mr. Magnus, high level experts from WHO Headquarters, Geneva and Uppsala Monitoring Centre respectively, captivated attention - reinforcing Mauritius’ connection to the global pharmacovigilance community. Pharmacovigilance is a cornerstone of patient safety. While medicines and vaccines save millions of lives every year, their safe use requires vigilance and timely reporting. By launching VigiMobile on Patient Safety Day, Mauritius reaffirms its commitment to making patient safety the foundation of healthcare.

From a mother seeking antibiotics for her child at a clinic, to a cancer patient in need of lifesaving therapy, medicines are no ordinary commodities. They are lifelines. They manage pain, control chronic illness, treat infections, and save lives. Mauritius is embarking in the development of a national medicine policy with the support of WHO: “The national medicine policy will ensure the population of Mauritius has access to good quality medicines,” said the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr Sarwansingh Purmessur at the opening of the workshop. It shows the commitment of the country in achieving Universal Health Coverage, added Mr S. Purmessur. “Mauritius relies heavily on imported medicines; A strong National Medicine Policy is the backbone of a well-functioning pharmaceutical system. It will bring transparency, accountability, and resilience in a world of increasing health threats and economic volatility. said the WHO Representative, Dr Anne Ancia. “Today’s landmark workshop marks the commitment of Mauritius in ensuring safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines for all citizens” This initiative unites various health professionals including clinicians, pharmacists, regulators, academics, wholesalers, member of pharmacy council and other health professionals to contribute to the development of a policy that will meet the specificities of the country and the local context.

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."