India-Mauritius Partnership Delivers Advanced Hub for Kidney Transplants Surgery

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar have officially inaugurated a new Renal Transplant Unit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, marking a significant leap in the nation’s healthcare modernisation.

The Prime Minister declared the facility a “symbol of resilience and hope,” asserting that access to life-saving treatment must be a fundamental right for all Mauritian citizens, regardless of their financial status.

The unit is designed to transition patients away from long-term dialysis, allowing them to lead active lives and return to the workforce.

A Strategy for Dignity

The opening of the unit addresses a critical health crisis in Mauritius, where over 200,000 people suffer from diabetes and 1,600 are currently undergoing dialysis.

“These are not just statistics,” the Prime Minister said. “These are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who require long-term treatment.”

The new unit aims to provide:

• Advanced surgical care to eliminate dependence on thrice-weekly dialysis.
• Restored independence for elderly patients and young parents.
• Regional access, serving as a medical hub beyond Mauritian borders.

Historical Context and Free Healthcare

During the ceremony, Mr Ramgoolam reflected on the evolution of Mauritian healthcare. He recalled a tragic case from the 1990s involving a 16-year-old girl who died because she was denied state-funded dialysis abroad.

The Prime Minister noted that since taking office, he has made it a duty to provide dialysis and transport free of charge in public hospitals.

He further announced plans to relaunch a national organ donation project to foster a “culture of giving” and save more lives.

The Indo-Mauritian Partnership

The project highlights the deep-rooted collaboration between Mauritius and India.

Minister Jaishankar stated that Mauritian patients would now benefit from “world-class care close to home,” describing the unit as a “second chance at life.”

India’s contribution to the project includes:

• Specialised training for medical staff.
• Guaranteed supply of essential medicines.
• Infrastructure support for upcoming projects, including the new SSRNH, the Ayush Hospital, and a veterinary school.

Minister Jaishankar reiterated the sentiment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that Mauritius is considered “a member of the family” rather than just a partner.

Expanding Cooperation

The Indian delegation also confirmed ongoing support in sectors beyond healthcare, including social housing, police training, the e-judiciary project, and maritime surveillance.

A joint satellite project is also expected to launch soon, providing data for agriculture and weather forecasting.

Health Minister Anil Bachoo concluded the event by thanking India for its historical generosity, noting that Indian universities have long provided medical education to Mauritians when European options were unaffordable.

He described the new unit as the start of a “new chapter” for Mauritian patients.

Source: Le Mauricien