Mauritius: The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, attended, yesterday at the Caudan Arts Centre, a talk on Neonatology delivered by a Neonatologist from the United States of America (USA), Prof. Arvin Bundhoo.
The Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Seewooruthun, and other personalities were present on this occasion.
In his opening remarks, Minister Jagutpal highlighted that Prof. Bundhoo is of Mauritian origin and is currently in Mauritius on an education trip. He recalled that Prof. Bundhoo met him during a courtesy call two days ago, where they had the opportunity to share about the situation of neonatal intensive care both in Mauritius and in the USA.
The Health Minister observed that Prof. Bundhoo, who has many years of experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) level 3 and level 4, has agreed to share his experience and knowledge during a talk on Neonatology. He pointed out that those present during the talk have a common objective, which is to decrease the number of neonatal deaths in the Republic of Mauritius as well as the number of maternal deaths recorded yearly.
Furthermore, Dr Jagutpal recalled that, in 2021, the infant mortality rate stood at 13.6%. As far as maternal deaths are concerned, he stated that the figures are as follows: eight in the year 2020, 10 in 2021, and four in 2022.
In addition, the Minister underlined that several strategic actions were proposed for neonatal services in the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2020-2024. They are: the setting up of a National Neonatal ICU Centre to cater for critically ill neonates requiring prolonged ICU Care; increasing the number of NICU ventilators in Regional Hospitals to cater for increasing demand for neonatal services; introducing new therapies for the management of neonatal care (Nitric Oxide Therapy, Cooling Thermo-Regulation Therapy); and strengthening capacity building for medical and nursing officers in neonatal respiratory therapy.EW