All Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards ceremony

A ceremony to fete the winner of the All Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards (AAPSIA) was held at Sir Harilall Vaghjee Memorial Hall, Port Louis, on Wednesday.

The first prize for the 2010 award went to the mobile clinic of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life.

AAPSIA is the first Africa wide ministerial initiative that celebrates innovation in the public sector. The purpose of the awards is to encourage best practice in public sector innovation and service delivery.

The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Administrative Reforms and the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life.

Minister of Civil Service Affairs Ashit Gungah said his ministry acts as the focal point for AAPSIA.

“We encourage ministries to participate in international and regional awards,” he said.

“This is in line with my ministry’s policy to encourage innovation and excellence in the delivery of public services,” Gungah added.

He further said that participation in such awards was an excellent means to recognise and reward those ministries that have excelled by adopting innovative approaches in management and service delivery.

He said he felt much pride when the winner of the award was announced. He congratulated the whole team of the mobile clinic on their performance.

Gungah also announced that his ministry would soon launch the 2011 edition of the Public Service Excellence Award.

“There are several ministries and departments who held the level high to improve their services last year,” stressed the minister.

“I was myself impressed by their performance and I am looking forward to this new edition,” he said.

Minister of Health Maya Hanoomanjee, who was also present on the occasion, pointed out, “Health services are sometimes not regarded in a favourable way. The award has showed that at government level we are committed to provide the best healthcare services to the public.”

AAPSIA 2010 was held during the 7th Pan-African conference of African Ministers of Public/Civil Service held from May 9 to 14 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Seven public organisations from Mauritius participated in the award.

These were the Waste Water Management Authority, the Companies Division, the Mauritius Qualifications Authority, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Biodiversity Unit, the Mobile Clinic and the Quality Control of Pharmaceuticals.