GIS – 05 February 2025: The critical importance of ensuring that cancer patients receive timely treatment and the necessity of changing habits to prevent the disease was among the main topics of discussions between the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and the Indian renowned oral and cranio-maxillofacial surgeon and consultant, Prof Dr S. M. Balaji, this afternoon, at the New Treasury Building, in Port Louis.
It is recalled that Dr Balaji is in Mauritius to conduct a series of craniofacial surgeries including for cancer patients and children suffering from congenital surgeries. Some 12 to 15 surgeries will be performed over the next few days.
In a statement, after the meeting, Dr Balaji said that he made a plea to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Mauritius to shorten the time between cancer diagnosis and treatment. He explained that timely treatment for cancer was crucial and that delays in treatment could lead to the cancer progressing to more advanced stages, making it harder to treat.
The Prime Minister and Dr Balaji also talked on the alarming increase in the number of cancer patients in Mauritius. The establishment of cancer registries, designed to track cancer cases, provide data on treatment outcomes, and monitor trends over time, as well as a focus on prevention through a change of habits were among the strategies discussed to curb the rise of cancer cases.
Furthermore, the establishment of a genetic registry at the Plastic Surgery Department of Victoria Hospital was on the agenda of the meeting with the Prime Minister so as to provide better support to parents of children with deformities, and facilitate early intervention and care. Dr Ramgoolam and Dr Balaji spoke as well about the need for advanced medical technologies such as molecular biology and genetic engineering for the early detection of congenital deformities.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
