New geriatric wards expand specialised elderly care nationwide

In a major step towards strengthening specialised healthcare for the ageing population, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, and Junior Minister Mrs Anishta Babooram officially inaugurated the new Geriatric Male and Female Wards at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle yesterday, marking World Dementia Day 2026.

The ceremony was attended by several personalities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Mauritius, Dr Abdou Salam Gueye.

A booklet on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Acute Care of Elderly (ACE) Wards, jointly developed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the WHO, was launched, along with a Holistic Medical Assessment Form designed to ensure a comprehensive assessment of elderly patients.

In a statement, Minister Bachoo highlighted the inauguration as another milestone in implementing the Government Programme 2025/29, which prioritises the well-being of the ageing population. He expressed appreciation to the Absa Group for fully sponsoring the Geriatric Female Ward and noted that all five regional hospitals are now equipped with ACE Wards.

He stressed the need for the healthcare system to adapt to an ageing population, with nearly one in five Mauritians aged 60 and above, representing around 280,000 people. He explained that the ACE model focuses on preserving the independence, mobility and functionality of elderly patients and improving their quality of life, with care provided by multidisciplinary teams and supported by regular staff training on SOPs.

On dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Minister Bachoo stated that around 18,000 Mauritians are currently affected, with ageing being the primary risk factor. He said the Ministry is placing greater emphasis on treatment, as well as early detection and intervention. In this context, the WHO Integrated Care for Older People Screening Programme, launched in July 2025, screens more than 1,000 elderly citizens each month, while specialised Early Dementia Diagnosis Clinics are now operational at all regional hospitals.

The Minister underlined that the expansion of ACE Wards, dementia screening and early diagnosis marks an important shift towards more specialised and coordinated geriatric care, with greater emphasis on dignity, independence, prevention and quality of life.

22 September 2026

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Topics: Health