Healthcare in Mauritius
how does the healthcare system work in Mauritius ? Is it efficient ?
What are the main differences between public and private sectors?
Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Mauritius?
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !
Julien
- The health system in Mauritius - Guide
- RE : FREE HEALTHCARE - 1 Reply
- Holistic dentist in Mauritius - 1 Reply
- Private healthcare - 0 Reply
- Visa & public healthcare - 5 Replies
- Healthcare in Mauritius - 2 Replies
- Nursing in Mauritius - 1 Reply
I had the misfortune of being hospitalized over a month ago there (Candos hospital). I was horrified!
1. Hygiene - Non existent. Try going to the toilet there. Besides seeing some cockroaches inside the toilet, there is no way to lock the toilet door so you always have to fear that somebody will open the door when you're inside. No toilet paper and the toilets themselves are filthy.
2. No privacy. You lay in a huge room together with more or less 30 other women (or men). No curtain, nothing.
3. Because of the lack of privacy, visiting hours makes you feel like you're in the army. Meaning half an hour very early in the morning (I think it was 05:30 or 06:00) and 1 hour and a half in the afternoon.
4. As a hospitalized patient, you are forbidden to leave this huge room, unless you have to go do some tests, and then you're accompanied by a nurse.
5. You are non existent as a human being to the doctors. Meaning you try asking what is happening or what they are administering you, but you get no answer. They treat you as if you're stupid and they are gods.
6. They forbid you to read your medical chart, so again you have no idea what's going on.
As for private health care, unfortunately the good clinics are also seeking every way to make money.
Makes me wonder if for me it's not better next time (if possible of course) to just book a flight back to Israel, get treated there for free with the best doctors and come back here healthy.
My wife fell down upside down sitting on a chair with a broken leg.
In a private clinic, I have lost half a million rupees trying to save my motherr in law. The operation was successful but with no insurance we couldn't keep her any longer at the clinic. We brought her home where she died 1 week later of infections.
After being stablized I was allowed home.
I had another attack last week - same clinic, different doctor who initially didnt even want to start treatment (which is vital) or read my medical synopsis which I always carry with me as it makes it easier for the medics in Mauritius. His reaction was "lets observe" which sent my hubby ballistic and treatment was initiated immdediately as it should be.
He also wanted to admit me afterwards for observation - I always go home after stablization within a few hours, both in Mauritius and in the UK. We had the feeling he thought of us as cash cows first then as a patient. They got as far as admitting me to a private room before we realized what was going on, asking hubby to sign an admission form. He refused and after a discussion I was allowed home.
First experience was very positive, second not so much so, and we had to fight and stand our ground to get emergency treatment for a life threatening condition.
I do have insurance but have never claimed.
Hospital wise my hubby had experience in A&E at the public hospital at Flacq and he got very good treatment - and another time at the Nehru hospital quite a few years ago.
I think it depends on the medical and nursing staff on duty at the time as well as the facilities, medical equipment etc but I was grateful to the clinic.
Daisymay
We also asked and were given info about my B/P and oxygen sats levels - though they didnt volunteer these.
Seems to be worse in public hospitals.
You need to be really firm with these people, know what questions to ask etc but I can see it could be difficult for people with no medical background.

In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats, we would like to invite you to share your experience on this topic, with updated info on the healthcare system.
Thank you in advance,
Julie
大咖福利影院 Team
In the time we've been here, We've had:
1. Wife with appendix out at Fortis Darne clinic in Floreal.
2. Wife with dislocated knee at Fortis Darne Floreal.
3. Girl at Apollo bramwell in moka and follow up at Fortis Darne after licking a mothball at a neighbors house.
4. I've had a broken rib.
Basically I would never, ever, ever recommend Apollo Bramwell to anyone, even before all these Rawat dramas. When my daughter thought a mothball was a lolly she started vomiting and wasn't holding water either. We called Apollo up. Got lost, arrived one hour later. Did no observations on our baby en route to hospital. Then when they tried to put a drip in our then 9 Month old girl, nobody in ED could get the line in her. They escalated to a paed doctor and she tried both arms, and some veins in her feet. After 5 attempts they couldn't get the drip in! And no gloves were used - horrendous. In the end they had to drag a surgeon out of a surgery and he got it right first time. After some Meds and fluids thugs were stable and we stayed overnight. At about 9pm when our baby fell asleep someone came through the door (didn't even knock) and said sone one needs to come downstairs and provide a deposit. We nicely told the lady to bugger off. Next day she was discharged, which we thought was strange as we'd received no diagnosis even though she wasn't accepting breastmilk yet. They let us wait 3 hours to sign out, but our baby seemed better. In hindsight it was premature as we got home that afternoon and she was rejecting water.'this time we went to Fortis Darne in Floreal and she stayed there for 5 days, which gives you an idea of the severity of the issue. After meeting with the chief doctor at Apollo they concluded we got an "acceptable level of care". Never again at Apollo.
Fortis Darne at Floreal was better but not the standard you would expect overseas. Hygiene is still an issue, certain practices are questionable (my wife is a nurse which makes it even harder to signals watch amateurs) but nurses are horribly paid, work very long shifts and all the good nurses work OS. A doctor told my wife when she having a scan for her knee to pray between the hours of 1-2am to the gods.
I can't read x Rays but my broken rib was misdiagnosed at St Patrick's in Flic en Flac.
I could go on.
When it comes to GP type issues, the medical team at Nautica in the west is good. I can recommend 3-4 doctors at Fortis Darne, pediatric or not, as My wife's appendix was done by a doctor who is also a board member at Darne.
Have no expectations, most of the good doctors are OS and what is left is very poor sadly. But like i said, it is one of the few issues in a great experience so far.
Up to now, we have been insured through BAI Wellness (not sure we will renew!) and have to go exclusively to Apollo Bramwell, unless they authorize us to go elsewhere if the test is not available there.
I had a heart issue at night two years ago while in a hotel on the East Coast.聽 The hotel called both a local doctor and Flacq SAMU while my wife called Apollo Bramwell hospital which is not close...聽 Doctor wasn't feeling well, so he just went back to sleep and never showed up without telling anyone.聽 SAMU just did a u-turn when they learned that an Apollo ambulance was coming!聽 For me, that's what you need to know about medical health in Mauritius.聽 If you don't pay, you take the chance that someone won't care about your health (maybe even if you pay!)
Anyway, I'm writing this post, so everything is good, and I received very professional treatments at Apollo.聽 We've been there on several occasions every year mostly for small problems and tests.聽 Wellness checkups are great.聽 Pediatrician Dr. Joomye is great with kids, and I would say that in 95% of the time, doctors are very kind and very knowledgeable.聽 That said, most doctors from India or from Indian culture and treating people like dumb.聽 If you want to know what you have (which is the case for most of Westerner) you will have to ask and insist and usually works.
My biggest concern about Apollo Bramwell is the admin and support staff.聽 You can call in the morning to have an appointment in the afternoon with a dermatologist (don't expect that in Canada!!) which is great.聽 Even better, the doctor is on schedule!聽 After your 10 minutes consultation, you need insurance authorization, you need to pay, you need to line up at the pharmacy, etc.聽 In short, you experience the Mauritian ineffectiveness at his best.
I can't comment other hospitals or clinics.聽 We went once in the public "hospital" in Riviere Noire at night, and my wife saw a doctor in no time, very kind and knowledgeable.聽 The only problem is they didn't have the medicine!聽 So we had to drive up to Apollo Bramwell pharmacy in Moka, which is open 24/7.
I do agree with the tendency of private healthcare providers to treat you like a cash cow.聽 Some doctors want to admit you for nothing.聽 You need to be very careful.
I have heard of good and bad things from both systems.聽 IMHO, the only real way to get treated near like you would in Europe or North America is to get insured and visit Apollo Bramwell or Fortis Darn茅.
I have been in Mauritius since mid 2012, and since I have a business here, i will stay as long as I am needed, Recently had a discussion about this issue so still fresh in my mind!
I have mostly had good experiences, attending a local practice in Black River and then some experience with private hospital sector
1. I first attended at Darne with severe sinus issues and saw a ENT specialist. He sorted out my issue with one simple test no one had ever even suggested in S Africa or Greece. I had polyps and since that visit in 2012 I have had almost no sinus problems. The cost of seeing the specialist was a fraction of what I would have to pay at home. Always grateful
2. My grandmother fell and injured her hip while visiting me (she is 85). She was taken to St Patricks in Flic en Flac, had X rays through orthopaedic surgeon. Because of her age, only real treatment was bed rest and therefore to send her back to S Africa, and I had to do this as her S African medical did not cover overseas treatment. She was in bed there for 5/6 days where she received good care. She was in a room on her own, and they came to move her in bed every few hours to prevent any bed sores etc I found the people very helpful, and polite, and professional. Costs for the whole exercise including travel back to S Africa with a qualified medial person was about Rs40 000
3. I have been for various personal health issues, including blood tests and treatments, most recently early this year through Darne. The tests were quite expensive at almost Rs10 000, but I believe one had to be sent overseas. But the problem was successfully sorted
I have found the people at these institutions to be polite and professional, although maybe in some cases a little "distracted" (Maybe trying to move people in and out quickly?)
Mostly my criticism would be around the fact that sometimes I felt the response to treatment was over enthusiastic in terms of treatment recommendations, maybe some overkill. I think antibiotics are over prescribed for sure
I do find that medication is a lot cheaper than home
Is the system worse than that available at my home town in S Africa? my grandmother would say no after she was finally placed in聽 a private room in the men's ward back home because they misplaced her booking into the hospital, then misdiagnosed her when she got a chest infection, and almost died
I cannot comment on the public system, as I have had no experience. With the private care, of course there can be improvement, there can always be improvement when it comes to health care
In connection with your comments re Medical issues/Medical care - could you please tell me where is the local practice in Black River?聽 I shall be moving soon to Mauritius, residing in Flic en Flac, .... so not too far from Black River and it would be nice to know where I could go if I require to see a GP (especially if you have mostly had good experiences).聽 It also seems that the Fortis Darne in Floreal is a good hospital, providing good care with good doctors.聽 It is important for me to know prior the time, hospital I should attend and GP I should see if the need arises.聽 I look forward to hearing from you.
My husband is travelling to mauritius soon to apply for his work permit.聽 He is required to get a medical done in mauritius chest x rays and hiv test etc. Please advise which hospital or clinic would be the best and quickest to assist him with this. He will need the test results very fast in order to submit his application. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.聽 Any other useful info he needs to know regarding applying for his work permit would be much appreciated.
Regards chivonne
I got my medical done in January whilst on holiday. You can go into any medical clinic. I went in on聽 one day had all the tests done + x ray and pick up the file 2 days later. Absolutely amazing .I used clinique du nord in Grand Baie
Thanks for the info. What was the cost to have a the tests done.聽 Is that the quickest that the results are given.聽 In two days?
In case of Emergency, it's better you don't go to the small sub clinics of the main clinics but head straight to the main clinics. The smaller clinics will be to slow and sometimes do not have any doctors on site, these will be phoned and you will have to wait until they arrive...
The service at Clinique du Nord in Baie du Tombeau has been excellent.
Apart from that try to get consultation from doctors with recommendation from friends if you can fix an appointment.
If those docs are a bit far from your area you might also arrange with your closest private clinic to have the appointments there. When you pay, it will include the clinics commission.
Else you can bump into docs who will try to fix your problem with a long list of pills even if your symptom/problem might not be in their line of experties. Second advise might be good.
Bad enough having anaphylactic reactions here but to miscalculate the adrenaline dosage is dreadful.
At home in the UK like you the paramedics attend at home and transfer you to A&E - here its quicker to make your own way (no one can ever find our place!)
I have epipens but always reluctant to use though the new epipens are much more user friendly so won't have a problem with those!
Thank you for sharing聽

Expat health insurance
Protect your health and get easy access to treatment for expats in Mauritius.
Exclusive discounts and additional benefits on Regency for Expats Health Insurance. Get a free quote now and save up to 40% on the best health insurance for Expats.
Specialists in international health insurance for 40 years, offering health cover adapted to your needs as an expatriate, whether for a temporary stay or a long-term expatriation.
30+ years' experience in providing global health insurance across more than 200 countries. Over 1.65 million hospitals, clinics, physicians and specialists worldwide covered.
Make your relocation easier with the Mauritius expat guide

Recommended doctors in Mauritius
You might be needing medical assistance during your stay in Mauritius. 大咖福利影院 provides you with a list of ...

Doctors in Mauritius
Here is a list of general practitioners and specialists in Mauritius, complete with their contact details, ready ...

Having a baby in Mauritius
Pregnancy in Mauritius takes place in a structured medical environment, offering future mothers comprehensive ...

Medical Laboratories in Mauritius
大咖福利影院 offers you medical laboratories with their contact details, conducting HIV screenings and chest X-rays, ...

Hospitals, clinics, and medical centers in Mauritius
Here is a list of public hospitals, private clinics, and medical centers, complete with their contact details, ...

Emergency numbers in Mauritius
Here are the useful numbers that you can print or save in your favorites. They will be useful throughout your ...

Education in Mauritius
Expats in Mauritius generally prefer international, or even French and Anglo-Saxon schools to local schools. ...

Accommodation in Mauritius
Thanks to its idyllic setting, and its proximity to Africa, India, Australia and Asia in general, this small, ...
Forum topics on healthcare in Mauritius
大咖福利影院 for your expat journey


