Malagasy Veterinarians Seek Recognition from Mauritian Authorities

Malagasy veterinarians are requesting recognition from Mauritian authorities. The controversy surrounding the recognition of Malagasy veterinarians in Mauritius has sparked discussions on technical, administrative, and diplomatic levels. This debate arose from a statement made by the Minister of Agro-Industry, Arvin Boolell, during a workshop in Ébène.

The discussion began at a workshop on public-private partnerships in veterinary services, which was held from October 14 to 17 in Ébène. At this event, Minister Arvin Boolell advocated for a more inclusive and open approach in the veterinary field.

In his statement, the minister called for "no discrimination" against Malagasy veterinarians, asserting that they "deserve provisional, then permanent registration in the veterinary register." This declaration immediately triggered reactions within the professional community.

Veterinary Register
The President of the Veterinary Council of Mauritius, Dr. Radhakrishna Veerapa, reminded everyone of the current regulatory framework, stating that the veterinary profession in Mauritius is governed by the Veterinary Council Act 2020. This law defines the accreditation criteria and mandates prior verification of diplomas before allowing practice.
Dr. Veerapa indicated that only registered practitioners are allowed to practice in Mauritius. However, he acknowledged the participation of several Malagasy veterinarians in certain sterilization campaigns on the island, but outside the formal registration framework, thus lacking a legally defined status.

Minister Boolell, for his part, maintained his position favoring more flexible recognition and increased openness, believing it is time to "evolve" practices and overcome administrative resistance. He emphasized that regional cooperation should take precedence, while also recalling that Mauritius and Madagascar share a long history of fruitful technical and health exchanges.

However, these statements took on a diplomatic tone. On October 23, the Malagasy Embassy in Mauritius released a statement expressing "its strong indignation" over certain comments deemed offensive to Malagasy professionals. In this text, the embassy called for "the immediate end of any form of derogation" and stressed the need to maintain a climate of mutual respect between the two countries.

Cooperation
It highlighted that relations between Mauritius and Madagascar have long been based on solid cooperation, particularly in technical and health fields. The embassy, led by Albert Camille Vital, also recalled the recognized competence of Malagasy veterinarians, citing their constant commitment, even during the epizootic crises that affected the region. The statement concluded with a call for dialogue and moderation, inviting both parties to resolve their differences in a constructive and fraternal spirit.

This controversy gained further dimension on Friday, October 24, with an official correspondence from the President of the National Council of the National Order of Veterinary Doctors of Madagascar, Josoa Rakotosamimanana, addressed to Minister Arvin Boolell.
In this letter, the president expressed his concerns about the evolution of the debate and emphasized that Malagasy veterinarians practicing in Mauritius fully comply with the ethical and regulatory requirements of the profession. According to him, their academic qualifications come from public institutions recognized and accredited by the competent authorities.

Diplomas
President Josoa Rakotosamimanana specified that these diplomas are awarded by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Antananarivo, by the Inter-State School of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine in Dakar, Senegal, and by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Kyiv, Ukraine. According to the correspondence, these institutions meet international training standards and are recognized for the quality of their teaching. The president of the Malagasy Order also emphasizes the dimension of trust and historical cooperation between the two countries.

In his letter, Josoa Rakotosamimanana recalled the assistance provided by Malagasy authorities to Mauritius in 2016, when a team of ten veterinarians was sent to support Mauritian services in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease. This collaboration, he writes, illustrates the exemplary solidarity and cooperation between the two nations in the field of animal health. He thus invites Mauritian authorities to quickly resolve any administrative disputes to allow Malagasy veterinarians to work peacefully in Mauritius, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.

According to available data, fifteen Malagasy veterinarians currently work in Mauritius, including two within the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare. Their contribution is considered essential, particularly in sterilization campaigns and in caring for animal welfare. Their presence over the years has helped bolster certain public missions and address the shortage of available practitioners locally.

Exchanges
This situation is part of a long-standing tradition of collaboration between Mauritius and Madagascar. In addition to the 2016 mission to combat foot-and-mouth disease, several joint projects have been conducted in the field of animal health, veterinary exchanges, and the prevention of zoonotic diseases. These previously exemplary partnerships had never been questioned. The current controversy therefore hinges less on the competencies of the veterinarians involved than on the issue of their administrative recognition and formal registration in Mauritius.

For Mauritian authorities, the stance remains clear: any authorization to practice must be framed by law, and adherence to procedures is a guarantee of transparency and public safety. For Madagascar, it is primarily about asserting the legitimacy of its training institutions and defending the reputation of its graduates. The two approaches are not necessarily opposed, but they reflect two different priorities: regulatory rigor on one side, mutual recognition of competencies on the other.

The Ministry of Agro-Industry has yet to announce a formal decision regarding the integration of foreign veterinarians into the national register. Dialogue remains open, and several technical exchanges are expected to take place between both parties. On the side of the Veterinary Council of Mauritius, no further reaction has been recorded since the publication of the Malagasy president's letter, but internal discussions are ongoing to examine the implications of this correspondence.

Recognition
This controversy, although rooted in a strictly professional framework, highlights a broader issue: the recognition of qualifications within the region. Without a common framework among Indian Ocean countries, each state retains its own requirements, complicating the mobility of professionals, including in sensitive areas like animal health.

Despite these divergences, the tone remains measured on both sides. The Malagasy embassy, in its statement, as well as the National Order of Veterinary Doctors in its letter, have both favored the path of dialogue and cooperation. From the Mauritian side, Minister Arvin Boolell reaffirmed his willingness to move forward in a spirit of openness while respecting quality and legal compliance requirements.

And Malagasy practitioners wish to continue practicing their profession in a serene environment, based on recognition, transparency, and mutual understanding.