Dr. Nitish Gunness: "Developing Neuroscience in Mauritius, an Ambitious and Necessary Project"

Dr. Vimal Raj Nitish Gunness, a Mauritian neurosurgeon based in Saudi Arabia, will be at the C-Care Wellkin clinic from Monday, November 3, until January 15, 2026. After a successful visit in August, he returns this time with a clear objective: to lay the groundwork for a true neuroscience hub in Mauritius.

During his previous mission, Dr. Gunness offered a day of free consultations to numerous patients. “This first experience allowed me to gain a very concrete understanding of the neurological and neurosurgical needs of the country,” he explains. The conditions encountered ranged from brain tumors to herniated discs and traumatic brain injuries. “Some cases were operable locally, but others required very specialized interventions that could not be performed here due to a lack of infrastructure or expertise. This convinced me to return with a more structured approach,” he emphasizes.

With this in mind, he has partnered with C-Care Wellkin to launch an ambitious project: the development of an integrated neuroscience section capable of encompassing neurosurgery, neurology, pediatric neurology, and specialized rehabilitation. “Our goal is to establish a modern, multidisciplinary platform in Mauritius for the treatment of brain and spinal diseases,” he confides.

Transmitting Expertise

According to him, Mauritius possesses remarkable human potential but suffers from a lack of subspecialists. “We need a pediatric neurologist, as the demand for child neurology is enormous. Many children with developmental disorders, epilepsy, or congenital pathologies of the central nervous system cannot be followed up locally. The idea is to bring in this type of specialist, as well as technicians in electroencephalography, neuroimaging, and postoperative care,” he indicates.

Dr. Gunness highlights that the experience gained during his first mission was invaluable. “I now know which patient profiles require local management and which need to be transferred. By returning with a suitable team and enhanced technical facilities, we can more comprehensively meet the population's needs,” he insists, as he believes this collaboration between Mauritian doctors and international experts is essential in the long run. “The idea is not just to come and operate but to transmit expertise and train young doctors. The development of neuroscience in Mauritius must involve continuous training, research, and the integration of new technologies.”

Drawing on his experience from several prestigious academic centers in Montreal, Toronto, and Dublin, Dr. Gunness hopes that Mauritius will ultimately become a regional reference hub in neurosurgery. “We have the skills, the will, and the vision. Now we must build the infrastructure and create a favorable environment to retain and attract talent,” he concludes.