CABINET DECISIONS – 16 JULY 2010 |
1. Cabinet has taken note that, with a view to raising awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and improving the management of the disease, particularly amongst young patients, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is holding Open Days from 22 to 26 July 2010 at the Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre, Souillac. The Centre has recently been set up under the guidance of Professor David Owens, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister and Clinical Director of the Diabetes and Vascular Health Centre. Activities that would be carried out during that period include:(a) medical assessment of patients, including retinal screening and kidney and foot assessment;
(b) counselling and demonstration on Blood Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Therapy; and
(c) sensitization of patients and their parents on nutrition and healthy lifestyle.
Type 1 Diabetes, which used to be called juvenile or insulin-dependent Diabetes, can occur at any age, but is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents or young adults.
2. Cabinet has taken note that, with a view to avoiding hardship to outpatients and reducing undue pressure on the hospital system, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is implementing a Staggered Appointment System for outpatients attending hospitals as from 1 September 2010. Appointments for outpatients would be staggered in slots between 0830 hours and 1130 hours for morning sessions and between 1230 hours and 1530 hours for afternoon sessions. The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is carrying out an information and education campaign to sensitize the public on the benefits of the new system.
3. Cabinet has taken note of arrangements made by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to intensify the vaccination campaign against Influenza A(H1N1). Cabinet has also taken note that vaccination against the flu is being held in Area Health Centres, and District and Community Hospitals around the country, as well as in Rodrigues.
4. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Human Resource Knowledge and Arts Development Fund operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, proposes to launch a Cultural Osmosis Project, which aims at creating a new cultural platform for "mix-culture songs", i.e., a fusion of African, Asian, European and other music. The theme chosen for the first edition of the Cultural Osmosis is love. The first set of "mix-culture" songs is scheduled to be launched in November/December 2010.
5. Cabinet has taken note that the laboratory of the Wastewater Management Authority has been accredited MS ISO/IEC 17025:2005, an international standard incorporating general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The laboratory of the Authority is responsible for the collection and analysis of effluents discharged by waste water treatment plants, hotels and industries involved in potentially polluting activities to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the Mauritius Accreditation Service (MAURITAS), in collaboration with the Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment Directorate of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), would organise a one-day Seminar on Accreditation Awareness on 12 August 2010. The main objectives of the Seminar are to:-
(a) provide a broad overview of accreditation infrastructure in the SADC region;
(b) develop an understanding of the principles involved in the requirements of competency standards and of the process of assessing compliance therewith; and
(c) sensitize stakeholders on the importance of accreditation to enhance trade at regional and international levels.
7. Cabinet has taken note that, in the light of the recommendations of a study on the reuse of cooking oil in Mauritius carried out in November 2009, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life proposes to make regulations under the Food Act to regulate the level of trans fatty acids which may be allowed in cooking oil and other food items. Cabinet has also taken note that the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is monitoring the level of trans fatty acids in oil used by food vendors and fast food outlets.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Fisheries and Rodrigues to Brisbane, Australia where he participated in the International Workshop on Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Discussions focused mainly on fisheries development in developing countries, perspectives on the management and transfer of harvesting capacity to retain profitability, future management options and initiatives, recognition of interests including those of Small Island Developing States, aspirations and participation of developing States and issues relating to excess capacity for tuna fishing.
In the margins of the Workshop, the Minister of Fisheries and Rodrigues discussed with Mr M. Nakamura, Adviser to the Japan Fisheries Cooperative Association, on joint ventures in the seafood sector.