Medical Tourism: Governemnt Silence

" The announcement effects . "Thus Bagooaduth Kallooa, president of the Mauritius Nusing Association, describes the main budgetary measures in the field of public health.

" I appreciate the fact that 300 Students Nurses will be recruited. This is a very good thing, but it is a measure that was long planned. It does not surprise me. There has long been a big shortage of staff in the health sector and this especially from the nurses , "says Bagooaduth Kallooa.

To improve care and reduce costs associated with overtime paid to hospital staff, the government plans to hire 33 specialists to enable regional hospitals operate 24 hours 24. 36 doctors will also be recruited to implement the Shift System in emergency services. The Budget also makes provision also for the recruitment of 300 Students Nur-400 and its Attendants and Health Care Assistants.

" The hospitals in Mauritius face a big shortage of beds. Measures from the hospital announced that Victoria will receive an amount of Rs 566 million perplexed. I put a big question mark on it as in previous budgets, we had planned allocations for the expansion of the Flacq Hospital. The project came to fruition, but not as we would have liked , "said Bagooaduth Kallooa.

The Budget includes a budget of Rs 566 million for the construction of six operating rooms and four new classrooms with a capacity of 120 beds. Bagooaduth Kallooa insists that it is essential that these projects are delivered as soon as possible and do not stay in stage announcement effect.

Rs 9.2 billion to health

On the draft family doctor, the President of the Mauritius Nusing Association, said that it was already happening when Ashok Jugnauth was Minister of Health. " The project was then stored in a drawer. Today, it is spring. The concept is certainly good, but we must ensure that this project gives the desired results. We can create amazing things on paper, but sometimes side result, we see nothing concrete , "he says.

Particular attention will be given to patients suffering from diabetes and cancer. If the intention of the State to establish a National Diabetes Register, a National Diabetes Management System and a National Cancer Agency is good, Bagooaduth Kallooa however stressed that " Souillac Hospital offers a Diabetic Centre which is not even used . Year after year, the health budget increases - it passes this time at Rs 9.2 billion - but the quality of service degrades "

However, it is unfortunate that medical tourism has not received the desired attention of the authorities. Operators are convinced that medical tourism could prove to be a market niche able to boost the tourism sector as a whole, including the hospitality economy. In 2012, 21,000 foreign patients came to Mauritius for their treatments. Nearly 19,000 of them were treated in multi-specialty clinics and more than 2,000 were treated in specialized centers. Approximately 34% of these foreign patients came for treatment requiring hospitalization, while about 66% used for outpatient services. This represents an increase of 70% compared to 2011 when 12,500 foreign patients were registered. The objective is to attract every year 100,000 foreign patients in our 2020. Which will be a contribution of approximately U.S. $ 1 billion annually to the economy.

Rs 50 million in the Overseas Treatment Scheme

The Overseas Treatment Scheme for inoperable patients in Mauritius increased from Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000. For complicated treatments, the allowance increases of Rs 500,000 to Rs 800,000. In 2014, an amount of Rs 50 million is voted for this fund.