Medical Education in Mauritius: Agreement Signed with the University of Geneva

Representatives of University Hospitals of Geneva had in July 2010 signed an initial agreement with the University of Mauritius (UoM) about the creation of medical school in the country. The Swiss institution would provide comprehensive clinical training with the support of local public hospitals. This collaboration between UoM and the universities of Geneva dates back several years.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place yesterday on the campus of Réduit presence of Ministers of Higher Education, Rajesh Jeetah, and Minister of Health Lormus Bundhoo. This agreement aims to create a medical school. Thus, students will no longer have to travel abroad to complete their studies in medicine. Indeed, at present, after the first three years of study, they go to Bordeaux or part of a South African university to complete their clinical studies.

Besides graduation Mauritius, students will have to pay less to agissannt university fees. And once trained, they can also provide courses and in turn provide support to trainers. The first stage of the project should have been completed since last year.

The University of Geneva will support the UoM for the first year of post-graduate clinical training for Mauritius. It is expected that an additional year be added each year to the clinical practice. And in four years, the campus Réduit should then be able to provide complete medical training in Mauritius.

Unlike other faculties of the UoM, it is agreed that the medicine is close to a public hospital to facilitate the practical sessions. To this end, the Ministry of Tertiary Education has identified a former building of the DWC in Bel-Air accommodating the institution. However, so far, nothing is final.

Moreover, the Ministry of Health is itself responsible for coordinating the clinical training of young doctors. Lormus Bundhoo suggested about 81 medical specialists will be recruited soon. In his speech yesterday, the minister responsible lingered on projects for health service quality.

Note that since 1 January, those entering training in medicine or dentistry and wish to practice Mauritius, are required to hold three A Level. To be eligible for the course of BSc (Hons) Medical Science, delivered by UoM since 1997, aspiring students must have at least two A and B in their core subjects - including biology and chemistry - exam Higher School Certificate.

A board of Post Graduate Medical Education will also be created to advise the Medical and Dental Councils of recording specialists and dentists. New medical graduates trained in Mauritius or abroad, must also pass an exam after training pre-registration. The Continuous Professional Development will be mandatory for all doctors and dentists practicing in the territory of Mauritius in September 2013. In addition, a Health Professional Bill is being prepared to regulate the practice of healthcare professionals, doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists.

The first courses with the University of Geneva should begin in the next academic year in August.