Mauritius’s 1st Animal Ambulance: Om Lombard Meets with Ministers

On Tuesday, June 3, in the Ministry of Agro-Industry offices in Port-Louis, entrepreneur Om Lombard met with Minister Arvin Boolell and Junior Minister Fabrice David. The main topic was the future of Mauritius’s first-ever mobile animal ambulance—a groundbreaking initiative led by Lombard.

This meeting comes at a critical time. Although the ambulance is fully equipped and ready since December 2024, it cannot yet operate officially.

The delay is due to the vehicle not being classified as a utility vehicle by authorities, a necessary step for registration and legal use.

Lombard, a former model turned animal advocate and businessman, introduced the ambulance as a mobile veterinary clinic.

It features advanced medical equipment such as ultrasound, ECG, hematology analyzers, and heated infusion systems.

The ambulance aims to improve emergency animal care across the island.

The vehicle supports Vetmania, a private veterinary clinic co-founded by Lombard and Dr. Jowad Timol, a Mauritian veterinarian trained internationally.

Their goal is to provide modern, local veterinary services that complement the public system, offering quick and specialized care during emergencies.

After the meeting, Om Lombard expressed optimism.

“It was a very positive meeting with Minister Boolell and Junior Minister David. We discussed the registration issues we’ve faced for months.

The ministers assured me they will handle the matter quickly. I trust them and look forward to seeing progress,” he said.

According to Lombard, the ministers indicated their intention to act swiftly to resolve the registration problem, enabling the ambulance to serve the growing demand for urgent veterinary care in Mauritius.

Source: l’Express