Mauritius achieves milestone in healthcare with first wireless pacemaker surgery

Mauritius has achieved a significant milestone in healthcare with the successful implantation of the country's first wireless pacemaker in a public hospital. The procedure was performed on 04 July 2026 at Dr A.G. Jeetoo Hospital under the supervision of Austrian interventional cardiologist, Dr Cesar Khazen.

The surgery was carried out on an 87-year old woman who had previously received two conventional pacemakers, both of which had to be removed due to infection. Given her medical condition, a wireless pacemaker was identified as the most appropriate treatment option.

Following the successful procedure, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, met Dr Khazen to express his appreciation for his contribution to this highly specialised intervention.

In a statement, Minister Bachoo underlined that the achievement reflects Government's commitment to expanding access to advanced healthcare services in Mauritius, reducing the need for patients to seek specialised treatment overseas. He announced that more wireless pacemaker implantations are expected to be carried out in the coming months.

The initiative, he emphasised, is in line with the Visiting Doctors Scheme announced in Budget 2026–2027, which aims to bring international medical specialists to Mauritius, thus allowing patients to receive advanced treatment locally.

According to the Minister, this approach is both more efficient and cost-effective as it reduces expenditure associated with overseas referrals, including airfare, accommodation, patient escorts and other logistical arrangements. At the same time, he pointed out, it will enable Mauritian healthcare professionals to work alongside internationally renowned specialists, promoting knowledge transfer and strengthening local expertise.

He further explained that the wireless pacemaker represents one of the latest innovations in the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. Roughly the size of an AAA battery, the device is implanted directly into the heart without the electrical leads or surgical pocket required by conventional pacemakers. This significantly reduces the risk of infection and other complications, he added.

Dr Khazen, for his part, welcomed the collaboration between Austria and Mauritius, noting that the wireless pacemaker offers a lifespan of more than 20 years. He praised the country's well-trained healthcare professionals and modern medical facilities, while emphasising the need for greater availability of wireless pacemakers to enable more patients to benefit from the advanced procedure.

06 July 2026

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Topics: Health