A System on the Brink: Staff Shortages Affect Public Health Services

In light of the acute shortage of doctors and nurses, the Ministry of Health is attempting to rectify the situation. However, several professionals believe that this late recovery will not have an immediate effect. The consequences of poor planning will be felt for many years.

To address the shortage of doctors and nurses, the Ministry of Health is deploying all possible means to avoid a collapse of the public health system. Yet, this resumption of recruitment, after several years of stagnation, will not bring immediate changes, according to health professionals.

They argue that the staff already under pressure will continue to face challenging conditions for several more years. True relief is not expected for at least three to five years, the time needed to train the new recruits.

Lack of Planning

"There is a huge lack of healthcare personnel, both among doctors and nurses. This is the result of poor planning," says Dr. Vinesh Sewsurn, president of the Ministry of Health Officers Association (MHOA). According to him, the recruitment recommendations from the Pay Research Bureau have not been followed.

Dr. Sewsurn accuses various ministries, including the Ministry of Health, of failing to fulfill their responsibilities regarding human resource planning. He also points to the Ministry of Finance, which has allegedly rejected recruitment requests due to budget constraints. "Everything revolves around planning. The relevant ministry must submit a budget request to the Ministry of Finance, which then allocates the necessary funds for recruitment. If this work is not done, positions remain vacant."

The MHOA president details the administrative chain: once funds are approved, positions are included in the Civil Establishment Order (CEO), which sets the number of positions and vacancies. Only at this stage can the Public Service Commission (PSC) initiate calls for applications.

According to him, the MHOA has unsuccessfully warned authorities for several years about the personnel shortage. He feels that the administrative heads — health service directors and Senior Chief Executives (SCE) — have not taken their responsibilities seriously. "Regardless of the government, administrative work must be done," he asserts.

Dr. Sewsurn recalls that as far back as 2016, when the Shift System was introduced, the union warned that without regular recruitment, the system would eventually falter. "Today, regional health centers are operating under pressure, and in hospitals, staff must work overtime to compensate for the lack of personnel," he laments.

Catching Up on Lost Time

Health Minister Anil Bachoo acknowledged in Parliament that his ministry had been "forced" to recruit retired doctors and nurses under the age of 70 due to the severe shortage. "We are compelled to do this because the previous government did nothing in this area," he stated. However, for industry professionals, these emergency measures will not address the root problem. "When there is a drought, a day of rain does not fill the reservoirs."

Minister Bachoo also announced that a long-term plan is in development to better manage medical and nursing staff. However, the MHOA president believes this task should have been entrusted to those who understand the realities on the ground.

The minister specified that this workforce needs assessment is being conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to evaluate the number of doctors and nurses needed in the future to ensure effective human resource planning.

Tense Relationship

Dr. Sewsurn laments the "lack of dialogue" between the ministry and staff representatives. "There is an acute shortage of doctors and nurses, a flight to the private sector or abroad, and nothing is being done to stem this hemorrhage."

Ram Nowzadick, president of the Nursing Association, confirms that recent recruitments remain limited. In some hospitals, only two to ten additional nurses have been hired. "There were many applicants, but only about sixty finally accepted, and some withdrew," he explains.

He adds that approximately 300 trainee nurses have been recruited and assigned to regional hospitals. Their training has not yet started, but they will soon begin learning on the job while attending classes. "They will be a valuable help to the existing staff," Ram Nowzadick believes. However, he questions the capacity of the School of Nursing to accommodate the upcoming cohorts in 2026 and 2028. "A significant organization will be needed to ensure training. We must mobilize other centers to support this effort."

Incentives

The president of the Nursing Association believes recruitment must become regular, at about 250 per semester, to stabilize the system. He warns that without incentive measures in the next PRB report, many aspiring nurses are likely to leave the public service. "Decent salaries and better recognition are needed to prevent nurses from going elsewhere. Those who return after retirement should also be better compensated," he argues.

For him, strengthening the public service is a priority. "It is better to have nurses in training than to have nothing at all. If the public system fails, patients will have no choice but to turn to the private sector, despite the exorbitant costs," he asserts.

Recruiting Retired Nurses: A Flop

The recruitment of retired nurses under 70 years old has not been as successful as hoped. According to Ram Nowzadick, very few responded to the call, and the number of those who remain is quite minimal. However, further calls for applications are planned.

Sword of Damocles

While Minister Anil Bachoo indicated that 120 doctors have been authorized to continue their postgraduate studies, Dr. Vinesh Sewsurn believes that some have taken unpaid leave for their studies, while others have likely left the public health service. According to him, a true Sword of Damocles hangs over this sector: young doctors are no longer willing to work tirelessly after many years of study for a meager salary and under deplorable working conditions. "If those who left to improve their knowledge and skills find better opportunities elsewhere, they won’t hesitate to leave," warns the president of the MHOA.

He remains hopeful that those currently training abroad will return to serve the country. Otherwise, the Mauritian health system risks collapsing. "The ball is now in the PRB's court, as we are on the brink of a new report. If it turns out unfavorable and does not propose any improvements to working conditions and remuneration, there will be many departures."

The PRB report is expected to be finalized by the end of this year and published in early 2026. "Many doctors are eagerly awaiting it. They hope for a decent salary, in line with what is practiced abroad or in the private sector. According to Dr. Vinesh Sewsurn, competition in this field is already fierce and is likely to intensify with new opportunities and the construction of private facilities funded by foreign investors.