The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, along with the General Secretary of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Prof. Vêlayoudoum Marimoutou, inaugurated a Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory at Dr Abdool Gafoor Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis, yesterday morning. This initiative marks a commitment to elevate medical standards in Mauritius, promising substantial improvements in healthcare provisions and services.
The Director of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs Laëtitia Habchi, and other personalities were present at the inaugural ceremony.
In a statement, Minister Jagutpal spoke about the importance of the Mauritius’s Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, emphasising its pivotal role in adhering to essential safety standards. This achievement, he highlighted, marks a substantial stride towards heightened biosafety measures, positioning the facility as the country’s primary Level 3 Laboratory. Funded by the AFD and the European Union through the IOC at an estimated cost of 20 million rupees, it stands as a testament to the nation’s investment in advanced healthcare infrastructure, he added.
Moreover, beyond its primary role in preventing infectious disease transmission, Minister Jagutpal highlighted the laboratory’s capacity to meet the demand for sophisticated testing. He pointed out its capability to conduct advanced tests, such as tuberculosis screenings, using modern equipment, significantly reducing the time required for these crucial medical tests. Emphasising the laboratory’s robust security measures, the Minister reassured that both operators and patients engaged in these tests would be protected, further streamlining the time required for medical results.
Dr Jagutpal also assured an increase in the volume of medical tests, citing comprehensive training programmes provided to laboratory operators. This preparation ensures their ability to handle samples securely, enhancing overall operational security within the facility.
Mr Marimoutou, for his part, stressed the importance of investing in a highly useful instrument, foreseeing its significant impact on healthcare. He highlighted its potential benefits for doctors and underscored its unique status as the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean, signaling a broader influence on global health infrastructure.
