The School of Integrative Health and Wellness (SIHW), aiming at providing high quality training and holistic education to promote optimal health and wellbeing, was officially launched yesterday morning, in Port-Louis. SIHW, established in August 2023, is registered with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority. The School strives to create healthy, happy and prosperous communities by educating individuals to take care of their health in a holistic manner.
The Vice-Prime Minister (VPM), Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard; the Director of Mental Health and Behavioural modifications initiative of the Health Council, Mr Ishan Shivanand; and other personalities were present at the launching ceremony.
In her address, the VPM emphasised the rising consciousness of well-being among Mauritians. She stressed the importance of adopting the right attitudes towards health and wellness, positioning Mauritius on a path to global leadership. Over the past two decades, she added, Mauritius has made significant strides in improving well-being notably life expectancy has increased by 10 years, placing the nation fifth in the Sub-Saharan region for healthy living. She declared that this achievement is credited to enhanced healthcare, economic development, and an upgraded education system.
A significant development discussed by Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun was the focus on social and emotional well-being in the school curriculum. She highlighted that education goes beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and skills; it is also about cultivating values, attitudes, and habits that promote well-being, happiness, and harmony.
Moreover, she spoke about the introduction of a Healthy Living Programme within the school curriculum, which seeks to instill healthy habits, including proper dietary practices, in students to combat diseases that pose a risk to health. The significance of these initiatives lies in their potential to foster social cohesion and preserve the multicultural unity and diversity of Mauritius, she pointed out.
She underscored the paramount role of health and wellness in Mauritius. This commitment to both physical and mental well-being not only fuels economic progress but also paves the way for a healthier, happier future for all Mauritians, she affirmed.
Mr Shivanand, on his part, stressed the significance of burnouts, highlighting their far-reaching consequences beyond individual health, affecting an entire country’s economy. Additionally, Mr Shivanand outlined the three core principles of Interactive Health: preventive health, health maintenance, and resilience. He concluded by highlighting the profound connection between the well-being of a nation’s citizens and their overall happiness, stating that a nation with healthy and content citizens fosters a healthier and happier society.
