Health Ministry Report Reveals 16 Understaffed Units in Mauritius Despite Rs 3.5 Billion Investment

A recent report by the Ministry of Health in Mauritius has highlighted the persistent challenges faced by the public healthcare system, including severe staff shortages and delayed infrastructure projects. Despite an investment of Rs 3.5 billion in the 2025-2026 period, hospitals and health centers continue to experience acute vulnerabilities across various medical specialties, diagnostic laboratories, and emergency care. The report attributes these shortages to factors such as absenteeism, retirements, resignations, transfers, training shortfalls, and cumbersome recruitment procedures.

The health sector is grappling with severe shortages spanning 16 specific services and units. Emergency and specialty care are bearing the brunt of these gaps, particularly in neurosurgery, where only five specialists are available to cover 24-hour emergencies and patient care across five regional hospitals. Furthermore, the diabetes and chronic care units are facing significant challenges, with only two diabetologists serving 20 specialized clinics, supported by an insufficient number of nutritionists. This has resulted in many patients failing to reach recommended blood glucose and blood pressure targets.

The report also highlights significant shortages in laboratory technologists, with numbers dropping from 230 in 2021 to 183 in 2026, alongside an ongoing shortage of pathologists. Additionally, staff shortages have prevented the finalization of the GLASS-AMR report. Dental services are also affected, with long-standing vacancies for dental assistant posts forcing certain full-time dental clinics to cut back to half-time operations. Other impacted services include immunization, nursing school educator-to-student ratios, and various other critical healthcare services.

During the 2025-2026 period, nearly Rs 3.5 billion was allocated to health infrastructure, with several projects completed, including the Réduit Eye Hospital, the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital renal transplant unit, and health centers in Bambous and Souillac. However, several other developments face significant delays, including community health centers, hospital projects, and the e-Health rollout. Only about 33 structures are utilizing the e-Health system, with Regions 1 and 2 remaining in preparatory stages pending electrical work, connectivity, and cybersecurity audits.

The report highlights gaps in national health security preparedness, noting an International Health Regulations capacities score of 45 out of 100. A National Health Security Action Plan is scheduled for development in 2026-2027. Additionally, data collection and analysis within the Communicable Disease Control Unit remain heavily manual. The Ministry of Health plans to bolster medical and paramedical staff in 2026-2027 through new recruitment, a doubled training budget, and a Rs 40 million Visiting Doctor Scheme to recruit foreign specialists.

The Ministry has earmarked an additional Rs 1.54 billion for infrastructure investments in 2026-2027, alongside the ongoing opening of specialized diabetes clinics and emergency/trauma units. Despite these operational pressures, the sector has achieved notable milestones, including completing 12 renal transplants, delivering 236,658 dialysis sessions across 1,559 patients, and increasing antiretroviral treatment coverage from 4,817 to 4,965 individuals.

The Ministry's efforts to address these challenges are ongoing, with a focus on improving healthcare services and infrastructure. The sector has also seen a decline in chikungunya cases from 2,647 in May 2026 to 1,595 in June. The Ministry's report emphasizes the need for continued investment and efforts to address the persistent challenges faced by the public healthcare system in Mauritius.

Key points

• The Ministry of Health in Mauritius has identified 16 understaffed units, including emergency and specialty care services, despite a significant investment of Rs 3.5 billion in the 2025-2026 period.
• The report highlights gaps in national health security preparedness, with an International Health Regulations capacities score of 45 out of 100.
• The Ministry plans to bolster medical and paramedical staff in 2026-2027 through new recruitment, a doubled training budget, and a Rs 40 million Visiting Doctor Scheme.