Public Health: NGOs and Businesses Come Together to Create Health Business Coalition

This is a first in Mauritius. More than twenty private sector companies were consolidated into one Business Health Coalition to facilitate the connection between Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government public health. The HBC held a press briefing this Wednesday, May 30, Rogers House, in order to present this network.

For over a year since the HBC tries to structure itself. The main purpose of this platform is to establish a force to plead with the authorities and enable NGOs and businesses to initiate projects that deliver results.

Audrey d'Hotman, CSR Manager of Rogers, a company that is the source of the HBC, stresses that the idea of ??creating this platform came from our African neighbors who launched the concept in the fight against HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria.

" The HBC focuses on major health topics. For example, we have several committees including one on diabetes, cancer, addiction or disability , "says Rogers CSR Manager.

Thus, since late 2010, several companies that invest heavily in NGOs dealing with health came together in commissions. To the question of addiction, Assonne Juliet Francis, head of the commission on this subject, says NGOs involved in this pathway have not easy access to the country's leaders.

" It is less burdensome for companies to resort to the government. We propose to link the two bodies. But we also noticed that NGO leaders lack training , "said Juliet Francis Assonne, also under the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) and commission official handicap.

In addition, the commission official addiction regrets that the Government has not continued consultations in developing the National Drug Control Masterplan (NDCM).

Marie-Annick Augustus, part of Terra (ex-Harel Frères) is, in turn, responsible for the commission on diabetes. His statement is an awareness campaign on the issue of healthy eating, is necessary for children.

The other committee exists within the HBC deals with the fight against cancer. Vega Chellum part of the Phoenix Beverages Foundation explains that NGOs in this sector have a sense of professionalism but they lack training.

" The commission began its work recently for a first meeting of representatives of the private sector. Other meetings will follow between government officials and NGOs to identify needs in this area , "says Vega Chellum.