Mauritius to host the 8th meeting of SIDS health ministers

On September 4th and 5th, a workshop in Port Louis focused on enhancing procurement and supply chain management for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The event was part of a larger plan to transition the Secretariat for Group Procurement of SIDS from Brazzaville to Mauritius.

Mauritius has been chosen to host the 8th Meeting of SIDS Health Ministers, a pivotal moment that will allow the country to lay out a transition plan for improving procurement and supply systems across island nations. For SIDS, strengthening these systems is crucial to ensuring access to affordable medications and healthcare resources.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dhanraj Conhye, the Ministry’s permanent secretary, emphasized that Mauritius is positioning itself as a center of excellence for drug procurement and supply chain management. He noted that ongoing reviews of the current system aim to identify and address gaps to enhance efficiency.

As part of these efforts, a three-year contract was signed in May 2024 with Angel Biogenic Pvt Ltd, an Indian company, to supply 17 essential drugs at reduced prices. Additionally, the SIDS Secretariat has initiated a second tender process for 215 medications, which are currently being reviewed by member states.

Mauritius plans to officially establish the SIDS Group Procurement Secretariat by May 2025. This initiative aims to streamline procurement, optimize resource use, and foster healthcare innovation across SIDS nations. According to Conhye, the Secretariat will also serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among SIDS countries, strengthening collective efforts to improve healthcare systems.