Government moves to strengthen public clinical trials

The importance of developing a robust and internationally aligned clinical research framework in the public health sector was highlighted by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, during the formal handover of a Gap Analysis Report on public clinical trials, prepared with the support of Roche.

The report was handed over yesterday at a ceremony held in Ebène, in the presence of the Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mrs Anishta Babooram; the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry, Mr Parmanand Mawah; the General Manager of Roche South Africa and the Sub-Region, Mr Thom Renwick; the Chairman of the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care, Dr Pravish Sookha; and the Expert in Metabolic Disease, Advanced Cardiac Imaging and Research, Dr Nishant Nundlall, among other personalities.

In his address, Minister Bachoo highlighted Government’s commitment to ensuring that patients treated in public hospitals have equitable access to medical innovation. In this context, Government is establishing a Public Clinical Trial Unit and pursuing the development of a National Clinical Trial Network, he announced.

Speaking about the report, the Minister noted that it identifies existing strengths as well as areas requiring further improvement, including infrastructure, laboratories, pharmacy services, data systems, training, governance and patient safety. He also expressed appreciation to Roche and its international experts for their technical support and collaboration with the Ministry’s teams in conducting the assessment.

The Minister indicated that the recommendations contained in the report would provide a basis for concrete action to benefit patients, healthcare professionals and the country as a whole. The ultimate goal is to establish a clinical trial system that is safe, ethical, efficient and aligned with international standards, he emphasised. He further reaffirmed that patient safety will remain the foremost priority, with participation in clinical trials being voluntary and based on informed consent.

Junior Minister Mrs Babooram welcomed the milestone achieved through the collaboration between the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care and Roche. She said the initiative would provide citizens with greater access to healthcare opportunities, noting that facilities and opportunities previously available through private clinics could progressively be extended to the public healthcare sector, enabling more patients to participate in clinical trials.

For his part, Mr Renwick emphasised that Mauritius possesses significant healthcare expertise and highlighted the need to further develop understanding of the conduct of clinical trials. He said Roche has the expertise to support Mauritius in this area, adding that the Gap Analysis Report sets out measures relating to infrastructure and other requirements needed to bring public hospitals in line with international standards for clinical research.

Dr Nundlall recalled that legislation governing clinical trials was enacted in Mauritius in 2012, following which clinical trials were conducted in private clinics. He noted that, with a view to improving access for patients attending public hospitals, the Public Clinical Trial Unit was established in 2025.

The recommendations of the Gap Analysis Report would be implemented in a phased manner, with the ultimate objective of improving treatment opportunities for patients and contributing to saving lives, he added.

17 September 2026

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Topics: Health