MoU signed to introduce interventional bronchoscopy services in Mauritius

GIS – 05 March 2026: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing collaboration in the field of interventional bronchoscopy was signed, this morning, in Ebène, between the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Société de Pneumologie de l’Océan Indien Foundation under La F ondation de l’Académie de Médecine . The signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; the Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mrs Anishta Babooram; and other high officials. The Acting Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr Parmanand Mawah, and the Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Head of Experimental Medicine Studies at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, Professor Kian Fan Chung, signed the agreement. In a statement, Minister Bachoo reiterated Government’s commitment to modernising hospital services, strengthening specialised medicine and ensuring that the population has access to higher quality and more advanced medical care. Mr Bachoo affirmed that the collaboration is in line with Government’s vision of positioning Mauritius as a centre for medical excellence and regional cooperation in health care in the Indian Ocean. According to the Minister, the MoU marks an important step in strengthening specialised health care services in Mauritius by enabling the introduction of interventional pulmonology. “This branch of medicine,” he explained, “is essential for the diagnosis, treatment and management of lung and chest conditions through minimally invasive procedures that are not yet available in Mauritius.” He indicated that t hrough this partnership, hospitals in Mauritius will be able to perform specialised procedures that previously required patients to travel abroad. Moreover, the Minister pointed out that the programme will be implemented progressively over the coming years to ensure that local medical teams receive the necessary training and that the services are delivered safely and effectively. An interventional bronchoscopy unit will be set up at Sir Anerood Jugnauth Hospital in Flacq as part of the initiative. Some 100 patients suffering from complex lung conditions are expected to benefit from these advanced procedures. Minister Bachoo further underlined that a key strength of the project lies in its strong focus on training and capacity building. Mauritian doctors and nurses will receive specialised training so that the expertise remains within the local health system while international experts from France and the region will support the Mauritian team during the initial stages and assist in transferring valuable knowledge. For his part, Professor Kian Fan Chung observed that respiratory medicine has witnessed significant progress over the past decades and underscored the need for Mauritius to advance in this medical field by offering state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment procedures. He underscored the importance of interventional bronchoscopy in increasing diagnostic capacity and improving the treatment of cancers and other respiratory diseases. Professor Chung also dwelt on the role of the Société de Pneumologie de l’Océan Indien Foundation in promoting cutting-edge knowledge through training and medical cooperation among countries of the Indian Ocean region.

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Topics: Health