Mauritius Records Daily Surge of Stroke Incidence

Mauritius is currently experiencing a concerning public health trend, with an alarming ten cases of strokes reported each day. This information was disclosed on August 1st by Kailesh Jagutpal, the Minister of Health, during a half-day workshop focused on the rapid identification and referral pathways for stroke cases.

The event featured the presence of Professor Rajiv Reebye, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and a clinical professor based in Vancouver, Canada, alongside various healthcare professionals.

Minister Jagutpal emphasized that the population’s increased vulnerability to strokes is linked to several factors, including rising life expectancy, high rates of non-communicable diseases, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and unhealthy eating habits.

“In Mauritius, we register ten stroke incidents per day,” stated the minister, who also announced the launch of a dedicated stroke unit at Victoria Hospital in November 2023.

The primary objective of the workshop is to develop standardized guidelines that will be published and made accessible to all healthcare professionals through the MoBienet application managed by the Ministry of Health.

The minister expressed aspirations for the establishment of more stroke units across regional hospitals, along with the creation of a stroke registry that will collect data on patient age, sex, and morbidity associated with strokes.

“The data we collect will also be integrated into the future patient management system, alongside the rollout of e-Health,” he added.

This workshop aimed to establish a clear protocol for stroke intervention, ensuring prompt treatment and optimal rehabilitation at the primary healthcare level for affected individuals.

One of the core goals is to enhance awareness strategies and communication surrounding strokes and their risk factors, as well as to facilitate swift access to stroke units.

In addition to these initiatives, Kailesh Jagutpal highlighted several crucial components essential for improving stroke care delivery.

These including the establishment of specialized clinics to ensure secondary stroke prevention, particularly for minor strokes, promoting educational resources for patients and families following a stroke, and integrating rehabilitation services into the continuum of care.

Furthermore, he mentioned the need for a standardized system to regularly reassess stroke patients, the development of a rehabilitation program in collaboration with the University of Mauritius, and the encouragement of physicians to pursue specializations in neurology.

Source: Le Mauricien