The term “medical tourism” describes the act of going abroad for specialized medical treatments or to receive medical care. The expense of health care has increased dramatically in many wealthy nations. Medical tourists travel elsewhere in search of less expensive care.It’s possible that certain procedures or treatments are not widely accepted or accessible in their native nation. For people with high deductibles or no health insurance, it offers an option.

The gorgeous island nation of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean has an exclusive medical tourism enterprise. Even though the healthcare system in Mauritius has advanced significantly, many from that country still travel abroad for treatment because they desire specialized care. This offers an excellent opportunity for medical specialists to take on the specific demands of individuals from Mauritius.

Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure

Supplying exceptional medical treatment requires giving due consideration to the patient’s experience and cultural norms. Understanding cultural customs, linguistic preferences, and religious convictions is essential for medical professionals to foster a friendly atmosphere and deliver patient-centred care.

Cost-Effective Treatments

There has been an epidemiological shift in recent decades, with chronic and degenerative diseases now accounting for a greater proportion of morbidity and mortality than infections. The moderate cost of healthcare in Mauritius is a major factor. When compared to nations in the West, medical procedures are more affordable in Mauritius. This cost-efficiency applies to several disciplines, such as orthopaedic surgery, dental work, fertility procedures, and cosmetic surgery.

Highly Qualified Healthcare Professionals

Some of the latest dental and cosmetic surgery technologies can be accessed in Mauritius. It is essential that contemporary medical diagnostic facilities and laboratories in Mauritius support a number of these specialized centers. Modern medical facilities and highly skilled staff are also present on the island, enabling it to accommodate the expanding demands of both local and foreign visitors. Additionally, Mauritian clinics have highly competent and knowledgeable staff, which enables them to provide exceptional healthcare.

Comprehensive Range of Medical Services

Under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, Mauritius possesses a sophisticated healthcare system. There are six specialty public hospitals, five large public hospitals, as well as neighborhood clinics and health facilities. Eleven specialty fee-for-service centers and eighteen private clinics are also available

Most of the physicians working in these structures are foreign-trained physicians as well as international physicians themselves. The Medical Council of Mauritius oversees the regulation of the medical profession in the island nation. By accomplishing this, it is made sure that medical practices follow the latest global standards for both quality and procedure.

Tourism Attractions and Cultural Experiences

The diversity of the numerous communities that call Mauritius home contributes to its rich cultural heritage. The majority of Mauritius’ population is of European, Asian, and African ancestry, creating a remarkable melting pot. Everything in Mauritius connects you to the population’s diversity and cultural richness, from food to places of worship and music.

Grand Basin, also known as Ganga Talao, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site that is well worth seeing. You may replenish at this dormant volcano that is tucked away in the middle of gorgeous, natural surroundings. Outstanding landmarks include the Kwan Tee Pagoda, the Grand Mosque of Port Louis, the Hindu temple Maheshwarnath Mandir in Triolet, and the Jummah Mosque. The island’s churches, many of which date back to the 18th century, will pique the attention of history buffs and admirers of architecture. The oldest surviving church is Saint Francis of Assisi in Pamplemousses.

The Emergence of Medical Tourism in Mauritius

Around 18,000 “medical tourists” cross the Indian Ocean to receive medical care in the nation’s hospitals. The sector is expanding as a result of significant investment being made in human capital and facilities to draw in more foreign professionals. Healthcare facilities like Centre de Chirurgie Esthetique are building clinics where visitors may feel at ease by utilizing the beauty, luxury, and quiet of the nation. The immigration laws of Mauritius favor travelers from nations such as the US, China, and India because, for the most part, visas are granted upon arrival. Given that French is a widely spoken language, more than 36% of medical tourists who arrived in 2016 were from France.

Healthcare organizations should give Global Healthcare Accreditation serious consideration if they want to get into the Mauritius medical tourism industry. Training, accreditation, and gap analysis are just a few of the services that GHA provides to get hospitals ready to penetrate particular target markets.

Healthcare professionals that work with GHA acquire cultural competency and training, enabling them to give Mauritian patients with outstanding patient experiences. A hospital’s dedication to fulfilling the special requirements of patients from varied ethnic backgrounds is demonstrated by its GHA accreditation. Due to their cultural competency and training, GHA-accredited healthcare providers are advised to treat patients and medical clients from Mauritius, turning them into living testimonials and producing exceptional interaction with patients.

Additionally, medical professionals can benefit from extensive business information and networking opportunities by becoming members of the Medical Tourism Association. The Medical Tourism Association has successfully started projects in several destinations, such as Washington, DC, Korea, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Florida, Miami, Las Vegas, Colombia, Costa Rica, and more.

In conclusion, there are a lot of prospects for healthcare professionals to pursue medical tourism in Mauritius. It is vital to comprehend the distinct features of the Mauritian market, take cultural factors into account, and place a high value on providing great patient experiences. Healthcare professionals can effectively enter this thriving market, improve their cultural skills and competence, and foster patient trust by collaborating with Global Healthcare Accreditation and Global Healthcare Resources.

Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Mauritius

•  Dr. A. Gaffoor Jeetoo Hospital

The Dr. A. Gaffoor Jeetoo Regional Hospital is located in the Port Louis neighborhood of the nation’s capital. Services are offered in the sanitary area No. 1, which includes the villages of Q. Militaire, Dagotiere, St. Julien Whitman, Camp Thorel, L’esperance, St. Pierre, Moka, Le Hochet, Petite Riviere, Albion, and Bambous, among others, as well as the towns of Port Louis and Beau Bassin.

Two specialized hospitals are located within its catchment area: Brown Sequard Hospital (psychiatric) is located in Beau Bassin, and S. Bharti Eye Hospital is located in Moka. Within its catchment region, there are additionally six area health centers and twenty-five community health centers.

•  Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital

The Pamplemousses district is home to the SSRN Hospital. Under the supervision of a Regional Health Director (RHD), it offers services for the Sanitary Area No. 2, which effectively spans the districts of Pamplemousses and Rivière du Rempart.

The hospital’s grounds contain the Cardiac Center.The Poudre d’Or specialty hospital for respiratory illnesses is located within its catchment area.Within its catchment region, there are four area health centers and twenty-three community health centers.

• Flacq Hospital

The Flacq Hospital is located in the Flacq district of the East Coast of Mauritius in the Centre de Flacq.Under the supervision of a Regional Health Director (RHD), it offers services for the Health Region 3 to a population of 170,000 people, which practically encompasses the Flacq district.The Primary Health Care system in the region is administered by the Regional Health Director and is overseen by:

• Twenty-four Community Health Centers
• Four Regional Health Centers
• One medical clinic that is dispersed over the Health Region 3.

4. Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital

Under the supervision of a Regional Health Director (RHD), Nehru Hospital serves the sanitary region number 4, which includes the districts of Grand Port and Savanne and has about 200,000 residents. It is located in Rose-Belle in the Grand Port district.The Souillac District Hospital and the Mahebourg Hospital Day Care Center fall under the purview of the Regional Health Director. Within its catchment region, there are five area health centers and seventeen community health centers.

5. Victoria Hospital: The Victoria Hospital – PMOC complex, which spans 25 acres, is located in Candos, within the Plaine-Wilhems district.It serves the Plaine-Wilhems district and the southern portion of the Black River district, primarily, under the boundaries of Sanitary Region Number 5. with roughly 30% of the island’s total population.

• Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, Vacoas, Phoenix, and Curepipe are among the towns it covers. The villages of Midlands, Dubreuil, Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Case Noyale, La Gaulette, Le Morne, and Chamarel are also involved.
• There is an ENT hospital within its catchment area. It is a specialty hospital for patients with ear, nose, and throat conditions.
• Additionally, there is Black River’s Dr. Y. Cantin Community Hospital,within its catchment region are five area health centers and twenty community health centers.

6. Queen Elizabeth Hospital : At the moment, Rodriguez’ health services are provided by:

• There is only one major hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which opened its doors in 1959 and is located in Creve Coeur.
• Eleven community health centres and two area health centres (Mont Lubin and La Ferme)

Medical Treatments Offered in Mauritius

Mauritian citizens are entitled to free public health care. In 2017, public health facilities catered to around 73% of the population’s health needs, with private facilities handling the remaining 27%. Additionally, there are now 2.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants in 2018 compared to 1.2 in 2010. In addition, Mauritius’ health care system as of 2021 consists of “five major regional government hospitals, four specialty government hospitals, two government district healthcare facilities, two cardiac centres as well, 19 private clinics and hospitals, and 30 medical labs.”.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: 
Dr. R Gunessee is a renowned plastic surgeon in Mauritius. His expertise covers a wide range of procedures, including liposuction, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast implants, breast lift, breast reduction, gynecomastia, facelift, Brazilian butt lift, and fat transfer/grafting. His practice is one of the busiest in the Indian Ocean, performing over 3,500 operations annually.

Dentistry 

The Dental Council of Mauritius is responsible for the registration and regulation of the dental profession in the country. Established under the provisions of the Dental Council Act 31 of 1999, its mission is to promote and regulate good dental practice in line with the highest international quality and standards.

Hair Grafting: The Indian Ocean Hair Transplant Centre is a reputed medical centre.

• This centre specializes in hair grafting and has over 18 years of experience in the field of hair transplantation.
• The team has treated more than 5,000 patients from 31 countries since 2000.
• They offer the innovative FUE DENSITY® technique, which involves follicular unit extraction (FUE).
• FUE DENSITY® allows for pain-free and scar-free hair transplantation.
• The procedure is twice as fast compared to traditional methods, and it can extract up to 4,300 grafts (approximately 7,740 hairs) in a single session.

Cardiology

• C-Care  Cardiology Services is a leading healthcare provider in Mauritius and the region, offering specialized cardiac care.
• It provides advanced cardiology treatment services, ranging from comprehensive preventive cardiac check-ups to surgical interventions.
• Their expertise covers a wide spectrum of heart conditions.
• C-Care prioritizes patient well-being, ensuring personalized care and expert medical attention.

 Fertility Treatments

• Located in Mauritius, the Harley Street Fertility Centre provides a comfortable and peaceful environment for fertility treatments.
• Their services include:
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
  • Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)
  • Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
  • Laser Assisted Hatching
  • Freezing of Embryos
  • Pre-implantation Genetic Testing of Embryos
  • Testicular Biopsy and Freezing of Testicular Tissue
  • Treatment for conditions like Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroid, Polyps, and Poly cystic Ovaries
• Dr. Goswamy, the center’s director, emphasizes that there is no association between HSFC Mauritius and any other fertility clinic using the name Harley Street Fertility Centre in different countries.

Ophthalmology

• Spectra Eye is the premier eye hospital in Mauritius, known for its top-notch service and modern technologies.
• Their team of qualified ophthalmologists specializes in various eye conditions, from cataracts and glaucoma to squints and corneal issues.
• Services offered include:
  • Cataract Surgery: They perform ZEPTO-assisted robotic precision cataract surgery, a cutting-edge technique.
  • LASIK: Get rid of spectacles with painless LASIK at affordable prices.
  • Glaucoma Services: Excellent diagnostic setup with the best treatment options for glaucoma.
  • Squint Correction: Successful stories of squint correction in children.
  • Cornea Services: Addressing diseases affecting cornea transparency, vascular shape, or curvature.

7. Orthopedics

• Dr. Sheik Mohamad Husain Abdoolamid: Dr. Abdoolamid is an experienced orthopedic surgeon based in Port Louis, Mauritius. His expertise covers a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including fractures, joint problems, and sports injuries1.
• Dr. Yuvraj Hurday: Dr. Hurday is another skilled orthopedic surgeon practicing in Port Louis. He specializes in diagnosing and treating various orthopedic issues, ensuring personalized care for patients1.
• Clinique de Grand Baie: Located in Grand Baie, Clinique de Grand Baie is a multidisciplinary care centre offering diverse medical services, including orthopedics.

India as a Medical Tourism Destination: A World of Possibilities

In comparison to the West, India provides medical services and procedures at a far lower cost. This accessibility is influenced by a number of factors, including government aid, a cheap cost of livelihood, and moderate compensation for medical personnel. Contemporary healthcare equipment has seen significant investment from India. From gamma knife operations to surgical robotics, the nation provides state-of-the-art medical care. India has a wealth of highly qualified medical professionals, including surgeons. Many are highly skilled in their specialties and have graduated from some of the best medical schools in the world. India offers short wait periods for medical operations, in contrast to Western nations, where wait times can be lengthy. Alternative medicine practices like yoga and Ayurveda are well-known throughout the whole country.

Conclusion

The medical tourism industry in Mauritius has enormous potential for expansion. Additionally, several private clinics can work to gain worldwide recognition to strengthen Mauritius’s standing as a premier medical tourism destination that provides top-notch treatments that adhere to international standards. The government will also need to ensure that procedures related to visa applications do not make it impossible for patients from other countries to apply for them, and it will also need to provide more incentives to stimulate the medical tourism sector in nearby territories.

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