Anil Bachoo: "It's Time to End the Abuses!"

Anil Bachoo, the Minister of Health, has emphatically called for the correction of a "serious legislative error," the cessation of abuses, and the restoration of fairness in the optical health sector. He staunchly defended the Optical Council Amendment Bill 2026, which he presents as a decisive break from past misconduct. His tone was unmistakable.

While presenting the Optical Council Amendment Bill 2026 to the National Assembly, the Minister did not mince his words. He stated that the 2021 law governing the Optical Council was fundamentally flawed, rendering it "illegal from the start." "This bill is not merely about amending an existing text; it aims to rectify a genuine legislative blunder," he asserted. According to the Minister, this legislation compromised the very integrity of the council, weakened the credibility of the health system, and caused real harm, particularly to professionals in the field.

At the core of the criticisms lies the very composition of the Optical Council. The Minister explained that the 2021 law mandated the presence of three opticians from the public sector on the council. However, he emphasized that no optician is employed full-time in the public service. "There have never been any," he insisted, clarifying that only four opticians work sporadically in hospitals.

Following consultations with the Attorney General's office, it was established that these professionals cannot be considered public officers. As a result, the council's composition, as stipulated by law, could not legally exist. "The body responsible for regulating the profession was not properly constituted. This is not a mere technical error; it is an institutional illegality," highlighted Anil Bachoo.

When the Council Favors the Private Sector

The Minister also condemned what he described as a "serious drift" in the council's operations, pointing to a takeover by certain private sector actors. "A small group of individuals, exploiting vague powers and a lack of oversight, used the council to protect their own interests, eliminate competitors, and stifle any opposition," he claimed.

According to him, the Optical Council even overstepped its authority by intervening in matters related to commerce. He specifically mentioned recommendations aimed at excluding certain optical brands from subsidy schemes for the elderly. "Is this regulation? No. It is an abuse of power," he concluded, citing a typical case of "regulatory capture."

The Minister also shed light on the concrete consequences of this opaque and unjust legal framework. Several foreign professionals invited to work in Mauritius reportedly faced arbitrary obstacles, particularly during the registration process. "Some were denied after discretionary examinations, while others were caught in endless administrative procedures," he lamented.

In this context, one of the major changes proposed in the bill concerns the removal of the examination requirement for the registration of opticians and optometrists. Anil Bachoo pointed out that such examinations do not exist in France or India. "Before 2021, under the Optician Registration Board, there were no exams, no problems, and certainly no abuses," he recalled.

The bill also introduces a reorganization of recognized professional categories, integrating optometrists, foreign optometrists, and visiting practitioners. According to the Minister, the goal is to better reflect the realities on the ground and the multidisciplinary nature of eye care.

Another significant change is the clear redefinition of the council's role. "The Optical Council must regulate professionals. It has nothing to do with commercial enterprises," Anil Bachoo insisted. Optical establishments will continue to be governed by other legal provisions.

The composition of the council will also be reviewed. The bill proposes removing the representation of public sector opticians, increasing the number of sitting opticians, and excluding the Optical Association of Mauritius, deemed unrepresentative of the entire profession. New members will include a representative from the Ministry of Finance and a consultant from the Subramaniam Bharati Eye Hospital.

Towards Clearer and Fairer Regulation

Additionally, the text introduces adjustments to the council's operations, disciplinary mechanisms, and appeal procedures. It specifies the qualifications required for registration and regulates professional practices, particularly regarding the use of pharmaceutical products.

For the Minister, these amendments reflect a clear desire to restore order in the regulation of the sector. "This text is a statement of principle. It marks the end of a period of incompetence and the return to legality, decency, and fairness," he asserted. He also emphasized that this reform is based on prior consultations with concerned parties, including three working sessions with the Optical Council in 2025.

"We have taken into account the realities on the ground, those of professionals, patients, and the ministry," he clarified. Anil Bachoo urged parliamentarians to support this bill, which he considers essential for restoring trust in the optical health system. "This is not just about legal compliance; it is about defending the public interest and the dignity of professionals," he stated.