The Ministry of Health and Wellness () is a ministry in the government of Mauritius responsible for health.
Anil Bachoo of the Labour Party is the current minister responsible since November 2024, serving under prime minister Navin Ramgoolam's fourth government. Anishta Babooram serves as the junior minister since August 2025.
History Following the departure of the Mauritian Militant Movement from Navin Ramgoolam's government, Kishore Deerpalsing was appointed after a reshuffle occurred in July 1997. The ministry was subsequently renamed to the ministry of Health and Quality of Life, with the portfolio of Quality and Life being transferred from the ministry of Environment. Ashok Jugnauth would succeed Deerpalsing as minister and would continue to serve in that capacity under the rotation government of Anerood Jugnauth and Paul Bérenger until 2005.
Under Navin Ramgoolam's second government, Satish Faugoo was appointed as minister until a reshuffle in September 2008, with Rajesh Jeetah succeeding him on the post. After the victory of Ramgoolam's alliance in the general election held in 2010, Maya Hanoomanjee of the MSM was appointed as minister. She would go on to serve a troublesome period as minister due to accusations of corruption towards a contract for a clinic linked to Pravind Jugnauth, leader of the MSM. The public outcry of the MedPoint deal led to the resignation and departure of the MSM from the government in July 2011. Lormus Bundhoo would succeed Hanoomanjee as minister and served in that capcity until 2014.
After the comeback of Anerood Jugnauth in elections held in 2014, Anil Gayan of the Muvman Liberater was appointed as minister. He would continue to hold the post until the elder Jugnauth's resignation as prime minister in favour of the younger Jugnauth in January 2017. Anwar Husnoo, who was a member of the ML until defecting to the MSM in late 2019, was appointed as health minister under Pravind Jugnauth's first government.
Kailesh Jagutpal was appointed as minister in November 2019 under Pravind Jugnauth's second government and subsequently a modification of the ministry's portfolio name occurred, which renamed it to the ministry of Health and Wellness. Anil Bachoo of the Labour Party succeeded Jagutpal and appointed to the Fourth Navin Ramgoolam cabinet in November 2024.
Responsibilities The ministry has the overall responsibility with the accessibility of equitable and quality health services to Mauritians and with the promotion of healthy lifestyle. As the ministry responsible for health, it advocates for policies aimed to increased efficiency and effectiveness in the health care system whilst balancing customer satisfaction.
In addition, it is also responsible for the control and prevention of diseases within the country and to provide for facilities for treatment of diseases. The rehabilitation of disabled people are also under its responsibility.
Within the profession, the ministry controls the practice of professionals including those in the field of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other allied health professionals. The provision of facilities for training of medical and paramedical staff and those working within the ministry are under its duties.
Any reports prepared or published related to health are within the functions of the ministry and as well as the initiation of and conducting of biomedial health studies of important and major diseases in Mauritius.
Organisation Departments The ministry is divided in the following departments: HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction Unit Hospital Services Office Accommodation Unit Planning, Finance and International Cooperation Unit Primary Health Care Unit Procurement and Supply Unit Project Implementation Unit Training and Research Unit Public Health Unit NCD, Health Promotion and Research Unit
List of ministers Portrait Name Term of office Portfolio name Party Prime minister Kher Jagatsingh 1969 1971 PTr S. Ramgoolam Harold Water 1971 1976 PTr Mahess Teeluck 1976 1979 PTr Beergoonath Ghurburrun 1980 1982 PTr Jocelyn Seenyen 1982 1983 PSM A. Jugnauth Jagdishwar Goburdhun 1983 1983 PSM MSM Kailash Purryag 1984 1985 PTr Jagdishwar Goburdhun 1988 1990 MSM Prem Nababsing 1990 1993 MMM Régis Finette 1993 1995 MMM RMM Kadress Pillay 1995 1997 PTr N. Ramgoolam Kishore Deerpalsing 1997 2000 PTr Ashok Jugnauth 2000 2005 MSM A. Jugnauth Bérenger Satish Faugoo 2005 2008 PTr N. Ramgoolam Rajesh Jeetah 2008 2010 PTr Maya Hanoomanjee 2010 2011 MSM Lormus Bundhoo 2011 2014 PTr Anil Gayan 2014 2017 ML A. Jugnauth Anwar Husnoo 2017 2019 ML P. Jugnauth MSM Kailesh Jagutpal 2019 2024 5 years MSM Anil Bachoo 2024 Incumbent PTr N. Ramgoolam
References
External links Official website