Prime Minister reiterates Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago as non-negotiable

The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam reaffirmed Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago as non-negotiable, reiterating his commitment to pursuing the matter through diplomacy and dialogue.

He was speaking yesterday evening in Balaclava following the inaugural ceremony of the Urology Conclave, where he also outlined priorities to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

The event was attended by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; renowned urologist and Director of Robotic Surgery Research and Education at the Vattikuti Urology Institute in Detroit, Professor Mahendra Bhandari; Senior Consultant in minimally invasive urology and kidney transplantation and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Dr Balbir Verma; as well as local and international medical professionals.

Dr Ramgoolam indicated that he is expected to travel to the United Kingdom by the end of September 2026, for talks with the UK National Security Adviser, Mr Jonathan Powell, and other interlocutors on the Chagos issue. His remarks came amid recent comments by US President, Mr Donald Trump, concerning the Chagos agreement.

Regarding healthcare, the Prime Minister called for investment in modern infrastructure, specialised training, medical education and international collaboration. He underscored the need for advances in technology to translate into better and more accessible patient care, while urging healthcare professionals to continually enhance their expertise and adapt to evolving medical practices.

Dr Ramgoolam expressed appreciation to India for its support to Mauritius’ health sector, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and other upcoming projects such as the New SSR Hospital and the AYUSH Centre.

The Prime Minister further identified urinary stone disease, urological cancers, particularly prostate cancer, and advanced kidney disease as areas requiring continued attention. He noted the growing role of minimally invasive and robotic surgery, advanced cancer treatment, transplantation and artificial intelligence in urological care.

Professor Bhandari underscored the importance of preventing and detecting non-communicable diseases early, while identifying deceased-donor organ transplantation as a potential area for future development.

As for Dr Verma, he pointed out that the Conclave will bring advanced technology, medical innovation and expertise closer to Mauritian patients, while promoting knowledge exchange between local and international specialists.

25 September 2026

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Topics: Health