Port Louis.  The National Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Strategic and Action Plan 2022-2026 and a ‘Carnet de Santé’ (health card) for the elderly was launched on 23 March 2023 at the Côte d'Or National Sports Complex by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Honorable Pravin Kumar Jugnauth in the presence of the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon. Kailesh Kumar Jagutpal; the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Hon. Mrs. Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the WHO Representative, Dr Anne Ancia  and other eminent personalities.

Mauritius health and socio-economic progress of the past decades had a significant, positive impact on life expectancy. Indeed, Mauritius is among the five African countries with the highest life expectancy at birth (73.4 years). Prolonged life expectancy coupled with low fertility rate results in demographic changes and a progressively aging society. The share of the population aged 60 years or above in the total population was 9% in year 2000, 18,7% in year 2021 and is projected to increase to 36.5% in 2061.  There is therefore a need to respond to the specific health and social needs of Mauritius growing ageing population.   

The integrated care for older people (ICOPE) strategic and action plan 2022-2026 aims at improving health and wellness of older people through prevention, protection and reduction of care dependency and promotion of dignity of life, through community engagement, capacity-building of the workforce and legislative and regulatory improvements. The ICOPE strategy promotes a person-centered integrated and long-term care to address the specific needs of older people where health and social care are facilitated by continuous, multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination among various care providers.

Since early 2022, experts from the World Health Organization have worked with the Ministry of Health and Wellbeing and the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and have visited and consulted with various ministries, the State Law Office, local stakeholders, NGOs, the civil society and elderly people, to develop this evidenced and needs- based strategy to improve the health and well-being of the country’s elders as well as promote silver tourism in Mauritius.

At the launch of this ICOPE strategy, the Honorable P. Jugnauth, Prime Minister, addressed the thousands of elderly persons present at the event and reassured them of the Government of Mauritius’ commitment towards the well-being of the country’s elderly persons who worked hard and contributed in the development of the country.  “The ICOPE strategy is testimony of the continuous efforts being made to provide the best healthcare services to the elderly people”, said the Prime Minister, Hon P. K. Jugnauth, who also encouraged the elderly people to continue engaging in physical activity to stay healthy.

Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity emphasized on the wide range of benefits senior citizens are enjoying, including a substantial increase in the basic retirement pension.

The Hon Dr Kailesh Kumar Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness provided a comprehensive description of the continued improvement in public health services and investment in health infrastructure to better address people needs, including the rising number of elderly people.  The Minister of Health and Wellness and other speakers acknowledged the support received from the World Health Organization in the development of the ICOPE strategic and action plan and the health card for the elderly persons.

A new “carnet de santé” for elderly people was also launched on this 23d March. This health card offers multiple important health information and practical advice. It will also enable to register all vital information related to the health and well-being of each and every elderly person allowing for comprehensive, integrated and quality care and follow-up.

For WHO, the next step is to start the training and capacity building of health professionals at all levels of the health systems. The first series of training is planned for June 2023.  WHO will keep working with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to implement the National ICOPE Strategic and Action Plan 2022-2026.