Crisis in Heart, Kidney and Metabolic Disorders: Courtesy Visit by Three Doctors to the Prime Minister's Office

On Friday, Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam welcomed Dr. Christopher Walton, Professor Fabrice Bonnet, and Dr. Faraz Pathan during a courtesy visit at the Treasury Building in Port Louis.

The three doctors are officially visiting Mauritius for the international conference themed "Addressing the Crisis in Heart, Kidney, and Metabolic Disorders," organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute this weekend.

Discussions focused on strengthening national strategies for managing diabetes, cardiovascular care, and clinical research, in line with the government's commitment to improving health quality in Mauritius. The delegation also discussed opportunities for cooperation, particularly in training and research, among other topics.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Christopher Walton, Consultant Physician in Diabetes & Endocrinology, emphasized the urgent need to enhance Type 2 diabetes prevention in Mauritius, where 40% of adolescents are prediabetic. He recommends implementing culturally appropriate programs, establishing centers of excellence in health, and promoting traditional dietary habits.

Professor Fabrice Bonnet, Professor of Medicine in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology & Nutrition at the University Hospital of Rennes, mentioned possible collaborations, especially in training young doctors and nurses on obesity issues and research.

Dr. Faraz Pathan, Director of Cardiovascular Imaging and Heart Research at Nepean Hospital in Sydney, Australia, praised the Prime Minister's ambition to improve the health of all Mauritians by addressing critical global issues like obesity, diabetes, and their cardiac consequences, with a focus on lifelong patient care.