Mauritian Boy, 6, Dies in India After 2-Year Cancer Battle

A six-year-old Mauritian boy has died in an Indian hospital following a courageous two-year battle with cancer, sparking a wave of national grief and a coordinated effort to bring him home.

Rivyansh Raghoobur passed away at 5:20 am on Tuesday, 3 March, at the Manipal Hospital in Pune, where he had been undergoing specialized treatment since 2024.

His family, who remained by his side throughout his final hours, confirmed that the medical team provided constant monitoring during the night.

Repatriation Efforts Underway

The family is currently finalizing the necessary procedures to repatriate Rivyansh’s body to Mauritius.

While discussions were held with the medical team in India regarding funeral arrangements, the family has opted to bring the youngster back to his home country for a final ceremony.

Health and Wellness Minister, Anil Bachoo, expressed his “profound sadness” via his Facebook page, noting that the case was “closely followed” by both Indian doctors and specialists in Mauritius.

He assured the public that “all possible efforts” were made under “very difficult circumstances.”

Government Support and the Child Cancer Scheme

Rivyansh was a beneficiary of the Child Cancer Scheme, a government programme designed to provide children suffering from severe pathologies with access to advanced medical care abroad.

Minister Bachoo confirmed that his ministry is currently coordinating the logistics to ensure the repatriation is handled with “dignity and respect.”

Crucially, the government has pledged to manage the process so the grieving family faces no additional financial or logistical burdens during this period.

A Long Journey Ends

The young boy’s journey in India involved nearly two years of successive consultations, hospitalisations, and intensive treatments.

His struggle has resonated deeply across Mauritius, where many followed his progress.

As the family prepares for the journey home, they recalled Rivyansh’s frequent wish to “return to Mauritius.”

They are now waiting in Pune for the final paperwork to be completed so they can honour that wish and lay him to rest in his native land.

Deepest sympathies to the family on the loss of young Rivyansh, whose courage in his long battle touched so many hearts across Mauritius.

Source: l’Express