Cabinet Decisions taken on 5 June

1. Cabinet has taken note of the recommendations contained in the Report on Errors, Omissions and Clarifications of The 2008 PRB Report in the Public Sector and agreed to their implementation in toto.

(i) transforming public sector organizations into modern, professional and citizen-friendly entities that are dedicated to the service of the public;

(ii) inculcating a performance-oriented culture;

(iii) developing a public service with competence and committed personnel at all levels; and

(iv) strengthening public confidence and trust in public institutions.

2. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the transfer of land, that would be used for social purposes and agricultural diversification, as provided in the agreement on the implementation of the Sugar Sector Reform signed in April 2008 between Government and the Mauritius Sugar Producers' Association. Half of the land allocated would be used for the social housing programme. In this connection, a first list of 11 sites identified at Solitude, Pointe aux Piments, St. Antoine, Poudre D'Or, Beau Bois, Laventure, Quatre Cocos, Camp Ithier, Melrose, Sebastopol, and Chebel/Beau Bassin, on the basis of demand for houses, proximity to settlements, accessibility and existing infrastructure, has been drawn up.

3. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Housing and Lands would promulgate regulations under the State Lands Act to demarcate the boundary limits of the Port Louis City Centre with a view to enabling State land lessees within the Centre to opt for the new sixty-year lease as announced in the 2008-2009 Budget Speech. This measure would ensure that the State obtains a fair return on its prime land assets and the industrial site lease policy is aligned with those of the new campement site lease policy to better reflect the market value of the land.

4. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organized in the context of the Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Naval Battle of Grand Port, which took place from 20 to 23 August 1810, viz., -

(a) organization of an open air exhibition flagging important sites, such as Montagne du Lion, La Falaise Rouge, Ile de La Passe and the positions of the ships during the Battle;

(b) setting up of a historical village comprising “tableaux vivants” and
on-the-spot demonstrations/sales of artistic works depicting past and present life in both Grand Port and Saint Malo;

(c) organization of cultural activities at the Open Air Theatre, Pointe Canon, Mahébourg by groups from countries associated with the history of Mauritius, namely, France (St Malo and Réunion Island), United Kingdom, India, China, Australia, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, Madagascar, Egypt, Oman and the Netherlands;

(d) screening of documentary films, including the film on slavery and indentured labourers produced by Mr Alain Gordon Gentil;

(e) twinning of Willoughby and Duperré Government Schools with one school in the town of St Malo, France, the birthplace of Mahé de Labourdonnais; and

(f) issue of commemorative stamps.

5. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life from 18 to 22 May 2009 to Geneva, where he participated in the 62nd Session of the World Health Assembly. The main issues discussed during the Assembly were –

(a) the pandemic influenza preparedness, including A/H1N1 virus;

(b) the implementation of the International Health Regulations;

(c) primary health care, including strengthening of health system;

(d) social determinants of health; and

(e) the achievements of the health-related Millennium Development Goals.

(a) seats for postgraduate medical courses in the field of cardiovascular surgery, reconstructive and plastic surgery and neurosurgery;

(b) cooperation in the area of special medical treatment in Geneva for patients inoperable in Mauritius; and

(c) assistance for the purchase of heart monitors.

The Minister of Health and Quality of Life discussed avenues of cooperation and technical assistance with –

(a) Dr Luis Gomez Sambo, Regional Director for WHO Africa Region;

(b) Professor Robert Gurny, Faculté des Sciences, Section des sciences pharmaceutiques, Université de Genève;

(c) Dr Christopher Wild, Director, International Agency for Research on Cancer; and

(d) Dr Vladimir Poznyak, Coordinator, Management of Substance Abuse, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO.

6. Cabinet has taken note that the island-wide clean-up campaign mounted jointly by the Ministry of Local Government, Rodrigues and Outer Islands, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and the Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit has been intensified with a view to maintaining a general cleanliness in the country. In this connection, larviciding and fogging activities are also being carried out.

7. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Health and Quality of Life would promulgate the Central Health Laboratory (Fees) Regulations that revise the fees payable for tests carried out by the Central Health Laboratory at the request of private medical practitioners and private clinics. Such tests would continue to be provided free of charge to patients attending public hospitals and health centres, as well as, to –

(a) old age and government pensioners;
(b) persons who are financially assisted through Government funds;
(c) registered unemployed persons; and
(d) persons whose monthly earnings do not exceed 7,500 rupees.

8. Cabinet has taken note that, on the recommendation of the Medical Council, the Minister of Health and Quality of Life proposes to amend the Schedule to the Medical Council (Recognised Professional Body) Regulations to include the "Royal College of Ophthalmologists" on the list of recognised professional bodies in the United Kingdom for the purpose of Specialist Registration.

9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of a video conference held between the team led by the Minister of Industry, Science and Research and that by the Chairperson of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of South Africa to brainstorm on industrial and scientific development, research and technological development and to identify areas of collaboration between the two countries.

After discussions, the following areas of collaboration were identified –

(a) Renewable Energy;
(b) Bioprospecting;
(c) Bioinformatics;
(d) Science, Technology and Innovation Park; and
(e) Sustainable Industrial Processes.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of -

(a) the MAURITAS Advisory Council with Prof. Dhanjay Jhurry as Chairperson; and

(b) the Opticians Registration Board with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Quality of Life as Chairperson.

Previous Cabinet Decisions