An increasing number of such patients come to Mauritius to seek medical treatment in such niche areas as cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, cosmetic surgery and procedures, fertility treatments, amongst others.
Around 19,000 patients have been treated in multi-specialty clinics and more than 2,000 others have received treatment in specialty centres. Around 34 per cent of the foreign patients came for in-patient treatment while 66 per cent came for out-patient treatment. This represents a 70 per cent increase compared to 2011, when some 12,500 foreign patients were registered.
BOI highlighted that the government has always shown a strong commitment to the development of the private healthcare sector.
“The recent introduction of tax relief for medical or health insurance cover confirms that commitment. This measure will encourage an increasing number of people to have recourse to medical insurance and will create further demand for private healthcare and promote private investment,” stated BOI.