Mauritius Modernizes Its Century-Old Public Health Law

On Thursday, May 22, the government initiated consultations on the Public Health Bill 2026, a reform aimed at modernizing the public health law from 1925 and adapting the legislative framework to current health challenges. The consultative workshop, held at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ébène by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to align the future legislation with current health priorities, the International Health Regulations (2005), and international standards.

Avinash Ramtohul, the Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation, who is currently acting as the Minister of Health and Wellness, emphasized that the 1925 law was developed in a vastly different context, long before the emergence of modern epidemiology, air travel, and current health challenges. According to him, Mauritius is now facing new issues such as emerging diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health concerns, and the increasing impact of digitization in the health sector.

The minister also highlighted the digital transformation of the health system, reminding that the rollout of the e-health system will allow secure access to medical records across hospitals, thereby improving patient care. The project also includes strengthening health governance, with the establishment of a regulatory body responsible for overseeing health services, quality control, pharmaceutical testing, and pricing.

Representatives from the WHO and health services stressed the need for a more operational legal framework to better respond to health emergencies and new public health threats.