Renal Transplant Unit: Making Mauritius a regional medical hub

The new building, costing some Rs 557 million, will cover an area of 2,550 m2. It will house under one roof all the facilities and services offered in terms of renal treatment, including: water treatment station, blood bank, laboratory, store, renal evaluation area, diagnostic room capable of accommodating renal equipment. x-ray and ultrasound, outpatient complex, pharmacy, sample collection and dialysis unit, among others.

The Prime Minister indicated that this unit represents a turning point in health services, as it is the first unit of its type to be built. This initiative was taken in the interest of the population, in particular the 1,500 patients suffering from kidney problems and who need to be dialyzed regularly, he said. While remembering that a patient who has received a kidney transplant has a longer life expectancy, a less restrictive diet and fewer complications than a patient on dialysis. In this regard, he stressed that the government places the health of the population at the forefront of its concerns, the proof being that Mauritius is one of the few countries to offer free dialysis treatments.

This initiative follows discussions with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his visit to Mauritius in 2017, who agreed to finance Rs 440 million for this project. “This is a further testimony to our exceptional bilateral relationship with India,” added the Prime Minister. This unit will not only be a major development for Mauritians but it will be part of the government's objective of making Mauritius a regional medical hub and a reference center, affirmed the head of government. “We want this renal care unit to benefit not only our population, but also other countries where this service is not available,” he stressed.