Covid-19 Vaccines Under Ex-Minister Jagutpal: Rs967 Million Unpaid

The Ministry of Health owes Rs 967 million for Covid-19 vaccines managed under Minister Kailesh Jagutpal’s stewardship. This figure was confirmed by Health Minister Anil Bachoo in Parliament on Friday 27th June, in response to a question from Chief Whip Stéphanie Anquetil. She asked for clarification on the amount owed for Covid-19 vaccines.

During the budget committee hearing for the Health Ministry, Bachoo explained that this amount has not yet been paid.

He pointed out that despite this, a Rs 2 per litre tax on petrol has been implemented to fund the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

Regarding vaccines for chikungunya, the Minister told opposition MP Adrien Duval that the situation is under control in Mauritius.

“I am pleased to inform the House that we currently have only five active cases, and the rest are under control,” Bachoo said.

Questions from MP Christraduthsing Lukeeram revealed that Rs 68 million worth of pharmaceutical products expired in the last financial year.

He stated that Rs 18 million worth of medicines procured last year have expired, amounting to Rs 68 million in total.

Bachoo also responded to MP Farhad Aumeer’s query about patients unable to undergo surgery locally.

He said that since 2018, the Ministry owes Rs 197 million to various hospitals providing treatment abroad, plus an additional Rs 9.1 million owed to Air Mauritius.

On the Digital Health Programme, MP Adrien Duval inquired about its progress. The project, which struggled under the previous government, has been taken over by the new administration.

Bachoo assured that the programme will be operational within a few months, starting at least in one hospital, such as the New Flacq Hospital.

Duval also asked how many patient records need to be digitized. The Minister replied that all health institutions will eventually be integrated under one system, beginning at the New Flacq Hospital.

Regarding staffing, Duval questioned the planned reduction of nearly 200 jobs, including Medical Health Auxiliaries and Ward Assistants. Bachoo explained that staffing cuts are due to workforce shortages.

On hospital infrastructure, Bachoo said provisions have been made for the construction of Medicinics centres in Roche-Bois, Grand-Baie, and Camp-de-Masque, which will be implemented in phases.

The Opposition Leader, Joe Lesjongard, asked about rising rent costs for hospital buildings.

Bachoo responded that some leasing agreements were signed by the previous government before the last election, including buildings like Atchia, Nexsky, Bacha, and NIC, and the government now bears the costs.

Finally, Opposition Leader Lesjongard inquired about security services at hospitals. The Minister listed several providers, including Top Security Services Ltd, Premier Security Solutions, and Rapid Security Services Ltd, noting that the overall security budget has increased and multiple vendors may be involved.

Source: Le Mauricien