Dr. Taleb Durgahee
Healthcare Infrastructure and Dementia Diagnosis
Primary Care and Early Detection: Most Mauritians access healthcare through public Mediclinic and hospitals, which offer free services. Our healthcare infrastructure is superb, comparatively more advanced than other countries and is an asset waiting to be utilised for new innovative healthcare community-based services. However, dementia diagnosis often requires specialist input—neurologists, geriatricians, or psychiatrists—who are limited in number.
Thus, the proposed Centre for Dementia Care and Studies by the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association is a ground-breaking initiative in Mauritian healthcare and eternal gratitude goes to all involved especially the Ministry of Land and Housing for powering forward with land provision and other Ministries for supporting this landmark. History will dignify this political and nursing care vision.
Cognitive screening tools like MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) are not routinely used in primary care settings. Here lies a challenge to innovate a tool which is culturally sensitive.
- Barriers to Diagnosis
Stigma and lack of awareness lead families to delay seeking help. Symptoms are often mistaken for “normal aging” or dismissed as behavioural issues. Limited training among general practitioners in dementia recognition and management.
Caregiving Realities: Families at the Frontline
Informal Caregiving
In Mauritius, caregiving is predominantly family-based, with adult children or spouses providing daily support. This model reflects strong cultural values of filial duty and intergenerational living. However, caregivers often face burnout, financial strain, and emotional distress.
- Gendered Burden
Women disproportionately shoulder caregiving responsibilities. Many female caregivers reduce work hours or leave employment entirely to care for loved ones.
- Support Gaps
Few formal respite services or day-care centres exist. Home-based care programs are limited and often unaffordable for lower-income families.
Residential and Institutional Care
- Elderly Homes
Mauritius has a mix of government-run and private elderly homes. Most are not equipped to handle complex dementia needs—such as wandering, distress, or incontinence. Staff training in dementia care is minimal, and facilities lack specialised units.
- Ethical Considerations
Families often struggle with the decision to institutionalise loved ones. Concerns about dignity, cultural expectations, and quality of care are paramount.
Education, Awareness, and Stigma Reduction
- Public Perception
Dementia is still widely misunderstood, often associated with madness or moral failing. This stigma leads to isolation, shame, and delayed intervention.
- Awareness Campaigns
NGOs like Alzheimer’s Association Mauritius have begun public education efforts. Radio programs, community talks, and social media outreach are helping shift narratives.
- School and Youth Engagement
Intergenerational programs in schools can foster empathy and understanding. Educating youth about aging and cognitive health builds a more inclusive society.
Research and Innovation
- Local Research Initiatives
Academic institutions are beginning to explore ageing and cognitive decline. However, funding and infrastructure for longitudinal studies remain limited.
- Technology in Care
Mobile apps for medication reminders, GPS tracking for wandering, and telehealth consultations are emerging tools. Adoption is slow due to digital literacy gaps and affordability concerns.
Policy Landscape and Government Response
National Health Strategy
Mauritius has a strong commitment to universal healthcare, but dementia-specific policies are lacking. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged aging as a priority but needs targeted dementia frameworks.
- Legal Protections
There is no comprehensive legal framework for guardianship, consent, or financial protection for people with dementia. Families often face challenges in managing assets or making medical decisions.
Recommendations for Policy Reform
- Develop a National Dementia Strategy with clear goals, funding, and accountability.
- Introduce legal safeguards for vulnerable adults, including supported decision-making models.
- Expand training for healthcare workers in dementia care and communication.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Community-Based Solutions : Faith and Spirituality
Religious institutions play a vital role in Mauritian life and can be allies in dementia care. Faith-based outreach can reduce stigma and offer emotional support to families.
- Community Health Workers
Training local volunteers or health workers in dementia awareness can extend care into rural and underserved areas.
These workers can offer basic screening, caregiver support, and referrals
Path Forward: Building a Dementia-Inclusive Mauritius
Key Priorities
- Awareness and Education: Normalise conversations about dementia through media, schools, and workplaces.
- Caregiver Support: Provide financial aid, counselling, and respite services to informal caregivers.
- Healthcare Reform: Integrate dementia screening and management into primary care.
- Infrastructure Investment: Build dementia-friendly public spaces, transport, and housing.
- Legal and Ethical Frameworks: Protect autonomy and dignity through clear legislation.
Vision for the Future:
A Call to Action
Mauritius must invest in dementia care not just as a health priority, but as a moral imperative learning from the Field View experience. This means:
- Funding community-based programs
- Supporting research into culturally adapted therapies
- Creating public education campaigns to shift perceptions
Dementia may be a global challenge, but Mauritius has the heart, heritage, and ingenuity to lead with care.
Imagine a Mauritius where:
- Every person with dementia is treated with respect and compassion.
- Families feel supported, not burdened.
- Healthcare professionals are equipped to offer timely, person-centred care.
- Communities embrace aging as a natural, shared journey.
- We will invest in community-led care models, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and ensure that health and social care services are responsive to the lived realities of vulnerable populations.
- By embedding empathy, accountability, and cultural competence into every layer of service delivery, we aim to transform care from a fragmented system into a cohesive, compassionate network of support.
Dementia care in Mauritius is at a crossroads. The nation has the cultural strength, healthcare foundation, and community spirit to lead a regional example in compassionate aging. But it must act decisively—through policy, education, and investment—to ensure that no one faces dementia alone. With collective effort, Mauritius can build a future where dignity, empathy, and inclusion define the aging experience.
(The End)
