Dr the Honourable Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness

Honourable Deepak Balgobin, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation

Mrs Devi Chand Anandi Rye Seewooruthun, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellnes

Distinguished Guests 

Members of the Press 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you this afternoon. As part of its inclusive and multi-sectoral response strategy to COVID-19, the UNDP Mauritius Country Office is working in partnership with Government of Mauritius Ministries of Health and Wellness and  Information Technology, Communication and Innovationon a number of initiatives, which include supporting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Today’s event marks an important milestone in these efforts. With the instrumental support from the Government of Japan, we are cementing a new collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the UNDP. Over the last 2 years, the UNDP has been implementing projects to strengthen the health systems to respond effectively to the Covid-19 pandemic through digital transformation. All these interventions have laid the foundation for the implementation of a robust eHealth project in Mauritius which will replace the paper-based health care system with a modern and integrated eHealth system to improve the quality of health services in all public regional and health care centres.  

We are aware that the eHealth project is not new to the Government and that there have been several prior interventions to implement this colossal project. Through a consolidated portfolio of digital Health projects, the UNDP seeks to complement the recovery and digital transformation journey of the Ministry of Health and Wellness by strengthening capacities to respond efficiently and effectively. 

We aim to address administrative and systemic barriers that may impede health system strengthening over the next 2 years by executing the project in a phased approach and also support the development of a fit-for-purpose legal and regulatory framework to address data protection and confidentiality issues. The project will also support the work to develop the Long-Term Digital Health Transformation Strategy and assist in building competencies and transfer knowledge for the staff of the digital health office at the Ministry. Hence, the Country Office is closely engaged with the UNDP Regional Bureau of Africa, the Digital Office and our international expert to tap into our pool of resources for these initiatives. 

In addition, components like Change Management and Training will form an integral part of the portfolio implementation. With the Laboratory Information Management System, we are learning important lessons on how to bridge the gaps, adopt Change Management principles and engage with diverse stakeholders within a governance structure. Hence, we feel ready at the UNDP to support this project which is a major leap towards an inclusive health sector structural transformation.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me close by saying that at UNDP we look forward to seeing the results of this new collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to contribute to a more positive outlook for health for Mauritius in the current volatile environment. Last but not least, I would like to express my thanks to the Government of Japan for providing the catalytic support in this endeavor and to the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Information Technology, Communication and Innovation for the trust and collaboration with UNDP Mauritius Country Office. 

Thank you for your kind attention