Les ministres ont pris note qu’un Supplementary Appropriation (2023-2024) Bill sera présenté prochainement au Parlement, la promulgation prochaine du Medical Council (Medical Institutions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, de la mise en place du Sexual Harassment Workplace Policy, des activités organisées pour le World Blood Donor Day 2024 et World No Tobacco Day 2024, entre autres.
1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Supplementary Appropriation (2023-2024) Bill into the National Assembly. The object of the Bill is to provide for the supplementary appropriation, by votes of expenditure, both recurrent and capital, in respect of services of Government for the financial year 2023-2024, in excess of the expenditure appropriated by the Appropriation (2023-2024) Act 2023.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Medical Council (Medical Institutions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 would be promulgated to provide for the change of appellation of the ‘University of Rome’ into that of ‘Sapienza University of Rome formerly known as University of Rome’.
3. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Workplace Policy in the Public Service, in line with the recommendations of the National Strategy and Action Plan on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence 2020-2024. The aim of the Policy would be to promote a workplace that is free from sexual harassment and any conduct of a sexual nature, in compliance with existing legislation where public officers respect each other’s dignity, privacy and right to equity.
4. Cabinet has taken note of the status of road capital projects being implemented by the Road Development Authority. Some of these projects include:
(a) the construction of the A1-M1 Bridge linking Coromandel to Sorèze which was completed and opened to the public in March 2024;
(b) the construction of Bois Cheri Bypass which was expected to be completed by May 2024; and
(c) the upgrading of B28 Road from Beau Champ to Bel Air which was expected to be completed by June 2024.
5. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of the In-Country Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Assessors’ Training in Mauritius in collaboration with the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Secretariat from 27 to 31 May 2024. The objectives of the training would be, inter alia, to:
(a) equip the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) competent authorities with the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding of the FATF assessment process and methodologies;
(b) provide participants with practical insights for assessing compliance and the level of effectiveness in line with the FATF Standards; and
(c) develop a pool of experts capable of undertaking comprehensive AML/CFT assessments in line with the ESAAMLG Universal Procedures.
6. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to mark World Blood Donor Day 2024 under the theme ‘Share Life, Give Blood’ which would be observed worldwide on 14 June 2024. The objectives of this year’s campaign would be to:
(a) inspire younger people and encourage them to sign up and start donating so that the donor population rate does not decline but remains sustainable;
(b) encourage more rare blood types donors to donate blood;
(c) ensure blood stocks which are essential in case of natural and man-made disasters; and
(d) raise awareness of blood donation and thus increase supply of blood in order to save a maximum of lives.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness would organise several activities in collaboration with the Blood Donors Association comprising, inter alia, blood donation at Loreto College, Port Louis, awareness campaigns through radio and TV programmes, extension of Pledge 15 Clubs in Secondary Schools and University Campus and a video production competition on the importance of blood donation to sensitise young blood donors.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised in the context of World No Tobacco Day 2024, which is celebrated on 31 May every year. The theme chosen for this year is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. A series of activities would be organised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to mark World No Tobacco Day 2024, namely:
(a) special interventions on MBC TV and Radio including the ‘Priorité Santé’ programme during the months of May and June to sensitise the public on the dangers that tobacco use poses to public health;
(b) upscaling the tobacco cessation services through the opening of additional Tobacco Cessation Clinics in Bel Air Rivière Sèche and Stanley Mediclinics and Mahebourg Hospital to encourage people to quit smoking;
(c) exhibitions, counselling, sensitisation sessions, talks on the ill effects of smoking in the community and worksites; and
(d) reinforce crackdown operations by the Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate to ensure full adherence to the Tobacco Regulations in force since 31 May 2023.
8. Cabinet has taken note that, as at 16 May 2024, there were 295 active cases of Dengue Fever in Mauritius, of which 32 persons had been hospitalised in both public and private hospitals. For Rodrigues, 64 active cases of Dengue Fever had been recorded, of which three persons were hospitalised.
Cabinet further noted that since 11 January 2024, 28 cases of Leptospirosis had been reported in Mauritius. There were presently two active cases as at 16 May 2024.
9. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Road Development Authority, with Mr Louis Joël Yves José Patron as part-time Chairperson.
