New facility at SAJ Hospital boosts diabetes and vascular health services

Nearly one in five adults in Mauritius is living with diabetes, affecting more than 200,000 people, while an estimated 44% of the population is in a pre-diabetic stage, significantly increasing the risk of developing the disease and related complications.

These figures were revealed by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, at the inauguration of a Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre this morning at the Sir Anerood Jugnauth (SAJ) Hospital in Flacq.

The ceremony was also attended by Members of the National Assembly, Messrs Raviraj Sinha Beechook and Chandraprakash Ramkalawon; the Regional Health Director of SAJ Hospital, Dr Sailush Sookmanee, and other personalities.

The Centre offers a range of services, including specialised diabetes consultations, nutritional counselling, diabetic retinopathy screening, diabetes foot care, and endocrine outpatient services, aimed at strengthening early detection and ensuring comprehensive disease management.

In his address, the Minister underscored that the new facility represents a significant step forward in strengthening diabetes care services and reflects Government’s commitment to tackling one of the country’s most pressing health challenges. He pointed out that diabetes often progresses silently but can lead to severe complications, including amputations, kidney failure requiring dialysis, and premature deaths, thereby placing a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system.

Mr Bachoo further emphasised that the Centre adopts a patient-centred, ‘one-stop-shop’ approach by bringing together essential services such as screening, nutritional guidance, and specialised care under one roof. He noted that this integrated model will improve access to services, enhance coordination of care, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

The Minister also outlined Government’s broader strategy to replicate such centres across regional hospitals, while reinforcing prevention through early detection, improved screening programmes, and dedicated pre-diabetes clinics, with a view to reducing complications and, in some cases, reversing the disease.

For his part, Dr Sookmanee stated that the inauguration of the Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre forms part of the hospital’s ongoing expansion of specialised medical services. He stressed that diabetes remains a major public health challenge in Mauritius, with far-reaching impacts on patients, families, and the healthcare system. He further recalled that the new Centre is designed to provide integrated, patient-centred care, with a strong focus on early detection, prevention of complications, and improved long-term management through coordinated multidisciplinary services.

29 April 2026

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Topics: Health