🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Mauritius' successful fight against tuberculosis: a historical overview and ongoing efforts
via Le Mauricien10 min read
Tuberculosis TB became a major health problem in Mauritius, then Ile de France, after its introduction in the early 18th century by European immigrant settlers. The island's harsh living conditions, poverty, and inadequate healthcare, especially for slaves and indentured laborers from Africa, Madagascar, and Asia, led to a significant increase in TB prevalence. During French colonization from 1715 to 1810, health services were minimal, primarily serving the navy and military, with limited access for the general population. The British occupation, starting in 1810, saw a continued influx of indentured laborers from India, further exacerbating the TB burden due to deplorable conditions on sugar estates. By 1920, approximately 450,000 indentured laborers had arrived, contributing to an alarming TB situation. In response, a health services development plan was implemented, dividing healthcare into preventive and curative divisions, supported by infrastructure, logistics, trained staff, and a legal framework. Collaboration with international authorities like the WHO ensured service delivery norms. Since gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius has significantly strengthened and decentralized its health services, achieving maximum health coverage across the island and its dependencies. Through a robust action plan, Mauritius has reduced its TB burden rate to one of the lowest in Africa since the 2020s. Key measures and events in the fight against TB include the Public Health Act of
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
A working meeting of the subcommittee on internal security of the Mauritius–Reunion/France "Contact Group" was held at the Central Barracks, focusing on strengthening regional security cooperation. Institutions from both Mauritius and Reunion, including the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit ADSU, gendarmerie, French national police, Financial Crimes Commission FCC, and the Ministry of Land Transport, participated. Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally emphasized that French presence demonstrates a commitment to making security a priority through consultation, intelligence, and concerted action against all forms of criminality. He noted that current threats, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, public disorder, and road safety risks, transcend island borders, requiring a global, integrated, and coherent response. Sooroojebally highlighted the fight against narcotics as a core priority, aiming to disrupt it from production to distribution and the reintegration of illicit funds into the economy. He also stressed the importance of combating money laundering through enhanced detection capabilities and information sharing, stating that no country or institution can act alone against transnational crimes. Road safety was also discussed, with Sooroojebally linking risky behaviors to broader issues like illicit substance use and lack of responsibility. French Ambassador to Mauritius, Frédéric Bontems, underscored that international criminal networks know no borders and that th
The Hugs for a Smile project, a collaboration between Senator For a Smile and Media Five, recently launched 3D Printed Sensorial dominos at the Autisme Maurice School in Quatre-Bornes. This initiative, unveiled at the close of Autism Awareness Month, aims to provide innovative educational tools for autistic children. The dominos are designed to be playful, inclusive, and stimulating, featuring textures and visual cues tailored to the specific sensory needs of these children. Unlike standard dominos, these are 3D printed from biodegradable filaments, making them flexible and safe, even with rough handling. Each piece is embossed and brightly colored to stimulate fine motor skills and sensory abilities. Adarsh Durga, president of Senator For a Smile, explained that the project arose from educators' need for adapted tools, leveraging 3D printing for customizable and evolving supports. Nisha Bhakhareea, director of Media Five Ltd, emphasized the importance of creating stimulating and inclusive school environments, advocating for "Feel Good" classrooms. Lisa Juganaikloo, director of Autisme Maurice School, welcomed the contribution, highlighting its role in strengthening learning and developing adapted educational approaches for the over 50 children at the center. The dominos will aid in motor skills, color recognition, and manipulation. The school also offers sensory classes and parent meetings, and last year launched the Atelier Kestrel for employability skills. Autisme Maurice
Must ReadThe Financial Crimes Commission FCC has forwarded the case file concerning former Attorney General Maneesh Gobin, related to the "Stag Party & Black Label" operation, to the Director of Public Prosecutions DPP, Rashid Ahmine, Senior Counsel. The DPP will now decide on the next steps for the investigation. This information was presented in an affidavit to the Supreme Court on Wednesday by Atish Roopchand on behalf of the FCC, as part of a proceeding initiated by Vivay Vivek Kanum Pursun against the FCC and the Commissioner of Police. The investigation began in February 2025 when Maneesh Gobin, former Minister of Agro-Industry, was arrested on alleged corruption charges and later released on bail. Investigators are looking into accusations of illicit payments totaling Rs 3.5 million concerning the allocation of a lease for approximately 250 hectares of land in the Grand-Bassin region. The affidavit, signed by FCC Chief Investigator Poonoosamy Moonesawmy, confirms that all investigations are complete. Several interrogation sessions with the former minister were conducted in 2025. The file was previously submitted to the DPP's office last September but was returned to the FCC for review of several representations. After these steps were completed, investigators resubmitted the file to the prosecutor's office on April 30 of this year. During the hearing, Sanjeev Teeluckdharry stated that his client, Vivek Pursun, is no longer pursuing his legal request. Pursun had sought authoriza
Must ReadThree individuals evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a rare hantavirus outbreak resulting in three passenger deaths, have been repatriated to Europe for medical care. The remaining passengers are confined to the ship, with no one exhibiting symptoms as of Thursday, awaiting disembarkation in the Canary Islands. The MV Hondius is currently en route from Cape Verde to Tenerife, Spain, and is expected to arrive this weekend, with passenger evacuation planned for early next week. Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, confirmed that no one on board is currently symptomatic. The hantavirus, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment, can be contracted through contact with rodents. The Andes strain, identified in infected passengers, is the only one known for human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization stated that the initial infection occurred before the expedition began on April 1, as the first deceased passenger, a 70-year-old Dutchman, showed symptoms by April 6. The incubation period for the virus is typically two to three weeks, suggesting the first person infected was exposed before boarding the ship, likely through a rodent. The three deceased passengers were a Dutch septuagenarian, his wife, and a German woman. One man is hospitalized in Johannesburg, another in Zurich, and three people were evacuated from the ship via Cape Verde on Wednesday. Two arrived in Amsterdam, with one receiving care at Leiden University Medic