9th Global Conference on Health Promotion and China Africa Partnership Symposium for Improving Access to Health & Medical Products

Ending Poverty in All its Forms: The Mauritius Experience by

Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan Minister of Health and Quality of Life Republic of Mauritius 22 November 2016

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FACTS on Mauritius

Geographic Location

Located in the Indian Ocean about 890 km off the east coast of Madagascar, and consists of the main island of Mauritius and three island dependencies.

Total area

2,040 sq. km

Independence Date

12 March 1968

Political System

Parliamentary Democratic Republic

Main Languages

English, French Mauritian Creole , Mandarin, Hindi and Urdu

Total Population (2015)

1,262,862

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KEY ECONOMIC & HEALTH INDICATORS

INDICATORS  

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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices   Economic Growth Rate   GDP per capita   Literacy Rate 2014 (15–24 years)   Life Expectancy (Both Sexes)  

VALUE (2015) (Estimates)   Rs 408.3 billion (US$ 11.6 billion)   3.0%   Rs 323,300 (US$ 9,206)   98.1%   74.5 years  

Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 Live Births)  

13.6  

Maternal Mortality Rate (per 1,000 Live Births)  

0.47  

Prevalence Rate of HIV Infection   Burden of NCDs  

< 1.0%   80%   3

Sustainable Development Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Ø Extreme poverty is negligible in Mauritius. Ø Mauritius is now an upper Middle Income Country (MIC) with a per capita income of USD 9,206 in December 2015. Ø Mauritius aims at graduating to the high income country with a per capita income of USD 12,475 in the short to medium-term. Ø Factors which have contributed to the relatively low level of poverty in Mauritius Ø  socio-economic policies, Ø political stability, Ø democratic principles, Ø welfare transfers, Ø free health services Ø free education 4

Policy Measures to Alleviate Poverty

§  Elaboration of an Action Plan on Poverty Alleviation in 2001. §  Creation of the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) in 2008. §  Creation of a dedicated Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment. §  Introduction of a mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). §  Introduction of a Social Register of Mauritius.

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Other policy Measures Ø Pension to the old, widow, orphans and persons with disabilities by the Ministry of Social Security. Ø Free access to education to all from pre-primary to secondary level. Ø Free Health Services, from primary care to hospital services, including specialized medical care in all public health institutions. Ø Programme of decent shelters for absolute poor. Ø Cash award to encourage students from poor families to achieve higher levels of education.

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New Measures Announced in Budget Speech 2016-2017 Ø In July 2016, with the assistance of UNDP, Government concretely launched the Marshall Plan against Poverty Ø the Social Register for those living in conditions of absolute poverty in Mauritius. Ø Crèche( Child Day care centres) voucher scheme for poor families Ø Meal allowance for students attending ZEP schools Ø A National CSR Foundation managed jointly by the public and private sectors and its six priority areas, are Ø Poverty alleviation Ø Educational support Ø Social housing Ø Supporting persons with severe disabilities Ø Dealing with health problems resulting from substance abuse and poor sanitation; Ø  family protection. 7

                                                                                         Sustainable  development  Goal  3:  Good  Health   and  Well  being  VISION  2030  :  Key  Targets Increase in life expectancy at birth of the population from 74.5 years in 2015 to 80 years in 2030.   Reduction in infant mortality rate from 13.7 in 2015 to 6 per 1,000 live births in 2030.   Reduction in under five mortality rate from 15.5 in 2015 to 7 per 1,000 live births in 2030.   Reduction in maternal mortality ratio from 47 in 2015 to 15 per 1,000 live births in 2030.   New infection of HIV/AIDS by 2030 tending towards zero. UNAID fast track targets 90 90 90 by 2020. Eradication of HIV by 2030.   A 25% relative reduction in the overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases by 2020 and further significant reduction by 2030.  

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Mauritius is committed to eradicate absolute poverty in the short term. Thank you

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