On Thursday 21 September 2023, the Prime Minister took part in the second meeting meeting of Heads of State and Government on non-transmissible diseases, organised by the World Health Organisation.
The Director-General of the WHO, who chaired the meeting, spoke of ways to encourage global initiatives for the implementation of the NCD ROADMAP 2023 – 2025. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of the WHO’s ambition to reduce the mortality rate from non-communicable diseases by one third by 2030.
The Prime Minister was asked to comment on best practices for non-communicable diseases in Mauritius. Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth was praised for his personal commitment to promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
These efforts, said the Prime Minister, have produced encouraging results, such as a slight drop in the prevalence of diabetes, stabilisation of cases of hypertension, a fall in smoking rates, and a substantial drop in cigarette imports.
The Prime Minister said that his government remains determined to continue its efforts to efforts to maintain these downward trends. He encouraged participants to involve the public in all actions to improve public health.
On Thursday, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, met the President of the African Union (AU), Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, at the AU’s New York Office.
The Prime Minister congratulated President Mahamat following the AU’s admission as Permanent Member in the G20 group.
Both leaders reviewed the situation in Africa and discussed the means that could help in the development of the blue economy in Mauritius. The protection of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone against illegal fishing and illicit trafficking was also brought forth during the discussion.
