Mauritius opens new diabetes health centre to combat rising amputations

Mauritius is intensifying its fight against diabetes following reports that more than 700 amputations are performed annually due to disease complications. Health Minister Anil Bachoo inaugurated a new Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre at the New Grove Area Health Centre to provide specialized, localized care.

Approximately 20% of adults in Mauritius are affected by diabetes, with a significant portion of the population also in a pre-diabetic state. The new facility offers integrated services, including nutritional counseling, retinal screening, diabetic foot examinations, and smoking cessation support.

In addition to the New Grove opening, the Ministry of Health plans to expand specialized units at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose Belle, focusing on geriatrics, stroke management, and traumatology. The government is also seeking international partnerships to train local doctors in complex surgical procedures to reduce the need for medical evacuations abroad.