Healthcare in Mauritius

How can you say that breet?

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.

At the North Hospital, I have seen birds coming thru the windows and eating the patients food.
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.

I'm so sorry to hear that alaintier. Something should be done to improve the public health care.

I have anaphylaxis (a severe allergy) and its vital when I have an attack to get treatment immediately. I had one attack last year - live at Pereybere and within a 10 minute drive of the clinic in Grand Baie - and was treated very quickly with all the necessary IV drugs, nebulisers etc (exactly as I am when in the UK)
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

Seems to me the practise in the public hospitals here the attitude is "I know better than you so I will not explain myself." Impossible to get answers or even a diagnosis. When my son was admitted to Victoria with a high fever and febrile convulsions, they did treat right away, (although I think a stabbing victim was being treated so close by we could hear her screaming) they told us nothing as to what was wrong. I had to sneak a peek at the chart in order to determine how they were treating him and with what medication since they refused to give ma answer. We are attending a private clinic on the island for the birth of our third child, since I heard numerous horror stories about other women's birth experience in the public hospitals. Light years better than public hospitals in Kenya, but still not very encouraging.

Agree - some of the doctors here think they are Gods. We asked for details of exactly what drugs they were injecting into my veins and got them.Luckily we know exactly what the treatment is for my case - adrenaline for instance is never given IV as it can kill. Steroids and antihistamines are allowed IV.
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.

Hi,

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
Expat.com Team

My wife needed an X-ray recently and was advised to go to the local clinic first. They gave her a form for the hospital and she had her X-ray taken immediately. Both appointments were extremely quick and efficient.

I'm an expat living in the West since 2012 with my wife, a 4 year old boy, a 2 year old girl and we love our experience in Mauritius, it's an amazing place to work and live, but healthcare is not one of its strong points, based on our experience.

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.

Which clinic was it ?

We live in Mauritius since 4 years now.

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.  The hotel called both a local doctor and Flacq SAMU while my wife called Apollo Bramwell hospital which is not close...  Doctor wasn't feeling well, so he just went back to sleep and never showed up without telling anyone.  SAMU just did a u-turn when they learned that an Apollo ambulance was coming!  For me, that's what you need to know about medical health in Mauritius.  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.  We've been there on several occasions every year mostly for small problems and tests.  Wellness checkups are great.  Pediatrician Dr. Joomye is great with kids, and I would say that in 95% of the time, doctors are very kind and very knowledgeable.  That said, most doctors from India or from Indian culture and treating people like dumb.  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.  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.  Even better, the doctor is on schedule!  After your 10 minutes consultation, you need insurance authorization, you need to pay, you need to line up at the pharmacy, etc.  In short, you experience the Mauritian ineffectiveness at his best.

I can't comment other hospitals or clinics.  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.  The only problem is they didn't have the medicine!  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.  Some doctors want to admit you for nothing.  You need to be very careful.

I have heard of good and bad things from both systems.  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 Darné.

You will hear the biggest recommendation of Mauritius healthcare from me. I am a big fan. The same about the pharmacy system and practitioners. When I arrived early this year I was really suffering with an acute sinus infection. I was recommended to attend the emergency Apollo healthcare system, in Riveriere Noire, who saw me immediately, referred me the very next day to their very capable and friendly ENT specialist, et al. They soon sorted out my various problems very kindly and efficiently, in their big hospital in Moka.

Hello all!

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  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

Hello Jonni

In connection with your comments re Medical issues/Medical care - could you please tell me where is the local practice in Black River?  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).  It also seems that the Fortis Darne in Floreal is a good hospital, providing good care with good doctors.  It is important for me to know prior the time, hospital I should attend and GP I should see if the need arises.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi all.


My husband is travelling to mauritius soon to apply for his work permit.  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.  Any other useful info he needs to know regarding applying for his work permit would be much appreciated.




Regards chivonne

Hi
I got my medical done in January whilst on holiday. You can go into any medical clinic. I went in on  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

Hi Barbra

Thanks for the info. What was the cost to have a the tests done.  Is that the quickest that the results are given.  In two days?

My husband is applying for a work permit as a professional. The board of investment advised us that the process time is 15 days.  Is this the case or can it b done in less than 15 days.

Reading all these posts shows there is a still a long road ahead with lots of improvements to be made. It's often also mentioned in the news that long patient documentation records just get lost! IT/Database/Networks required... It will take a while to restructure and bring in more efficiency, work is being done but this is like a huge construction site. On the other side, fortunately Mauritians have access to free healthcare.

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.

I have anaphylaxis as well. In the U.S., each time it happened the paramedics came to my house and injected me. I was fine each time. I had the same reaction on the island twice. I went to Apollo hospital. Even though is is a private hospital, the service was terrible. The second time, the emergency room doctor gave me too much adrenaline. My heart started pounding in my chest and I was hyperventilating. Apollo is terrible and Clinique darne is no better. Regarding the government hospitals, the doctors there look down on the patients as most of them are poor. Since the service is free, the doctors and nurses do whatever they want. If I ever need an operation or extensive treatment, I am going back to the U.S. In an emergency, maybe i'ii fly to Reunion island next door.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience Sabrina.
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