Mauritius: Minister of Health Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal opened Children’s Cancer Ward 14 at the Victoria Hospital in Candos. The children’s healthcare facility was refurbished by Sunlife. The opening ceremony for the children’s ward was held on Thursday.
The officials have shared some glimpses from the opening ceremony which was attended by several government officials. Some of the most important personalities present at the event were:
The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Mauritius, Dr Anne Marie Ancia, The Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Sunlife, Mrs Joelle Edwards-Tonks.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal delivered brief remarks at the event. Minister Jagutpal remarked that the opening coincides with the annual commemoration of the International Childhood Cancer Day on 15 February.
He further said, “The refurbishment of the Children’s Cancer Ward 14 project has been jointly undertaken by his Ministry and Sunlife.”
The Minister of Health further noted that the Ministry of Health and Sunlife have been working together for over 15 years. Dr Jagutpal characterized this public-private partnership as pivotal for the betterment of children diagnosed with cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as their families.
The Health Minister also indicated that the Children Cancer Ward 14 has been refurbished by all the WHO recommendations. It is equipped with 11 patient’ rooms, a waiting lounge, a kitchen for parents, a playroom, a washing machine and dryer facilities.
Sunlife will take responsibility for the infrastructural works and maintenance services of the children’s ward. The organization will also provide for regular psychological and psychosocial support to parents and their children.
For this mandate, they will take the assistance of a child psychologist and a painting artist. Meanwhile, The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Mauritius, Dr Anne Marie Ancia also spoke at the event.
She was disappointed that in parts of Africa, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children is still not properly managed. However, in Mauritius, both specific treatment for childhood cancer and psychological support are provided in a safe environment.
She further lauded the government’s partnership with the private sector. She claimed that the initiative will help in increasing the efforts to improve the well-being of children with cancer. The Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Sunlife, Mrs Joelle Edwards-Tonks also applauded Mauritius for the initiative.
Edwards-Tonks recalled the endeavors of the Sunlife Children Cancer Trust since its inception in 2008. She shared that the refurbishment of the Children’s Cancer Ward was done with the help of a high-level investment of an estimated Rs4 million
Further, she shared that Rs 1 million has been earmarked for the provision of free transport, and psychological and therapy services for this year.
The National Cancer Registry 2022 in Mauritius reveals that 51 new cases of cancer were detected among children aged 0 to 15 years old.