Specialised Orthopaedic Services Strengthened Through French Medical Mission

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, met French Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Dr Bruno Zipoli, yesterday at Dr A.Gaffoor Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis, to discuss his second medical mission in Mauritius and the provision of specialised orthopaedic services to Mauritian patients.

Dr Zipoli has been in Mauritius since last week, conducting consultations for patients with complex orthopaedic conditions and performing major surgical procedures at the hospital. His mission forms part of ongoing efforts to improve access to specialised surgical care locally while promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange with Mauritian medical teams.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Bachoo highlighted the importance of bringing specialised medical expertise to Mauritius, particularly for patients requiring complex procedures that are not readily available locally.

He indicated that, during Dr Zipoli's first mission, from 22 February to 02 March 2026, he performed 12 operations and conducted numerous outpatient consultations. During his second mission, he has consulted 80 patients, performed 15 major surgical procedures and carried out 10 shoulder infiltrations, alongside specialised arthroscopic examinations.

Mr Bachoo underlined that this initiative enables patients who would otherwise need to travel abroad for treatment to receive specialised care in Mauritius. He also recalled that the approach of bringing foreign specialists to work alongside local medical teams is being implemented across different medical disciplines. He further announced that Dr Zipoli is expected to return to Mauritius in March 2027.

For his part, Dr Zipoli conveyed his satisfaction at undertaking a second mission in Mauritius, following an invitation from his Mauritian counterparts with whom he had previously worked in France.

He explained that a key development during this mission was the opportunity to work alongside a physiotherapist, which would help improve the provision of orthopaedic care. Discussions are also underway to establish a specialised unit bringing together surgery, physiotherapy and medical care. He added that there are plans to invite other French surgeons to contribute their expertise, particularly in complex procedures.

With 30 years of experience in shoulder surgery, Dr Zipoli specialises in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He noted that the patients consulted in Mauritius present conditions similar to those encountered in France. These include shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears and shoulder osteoarthritis, for which appropriate medical and surgical treatment can be offered.

He emphasised that his mission goes beyond performing surgical procedures, as it also provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and share knowledge with Mauritian doctors. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made during his second visit and the prospects of developing specialised orthopaedic services over the medium and long term.