In 2023, cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, accounted for 33% of deaths in Mauritius, or 3,814 deaths. Which makes it the main cause of mortality in Mauritius.
As part of World Heart Day, Victoria Hospital in Candos inaugurated a new outpatient department dedicated to heart diseases. This event marked the launch of a series of awareness-raising activities. They are intended to promote heart health and encourage preventative measures against cardiovascular disease.
According to the Minister of Health and Wellness, the solution lies in prevention and rapid action. Dr Kailesh Jagutpal stressed the importance of understanding risk factors, citing the worrying results of the national survey on non-communicable diseases. This highlights alarming rates of diabetes, hypertension and obesity, exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles and poor diet.
Indeed, the eating behaviors of Mauritians are singled out. A nutritional survey carried out in 2022 reveals an excess of rice consumption. She notes low consumption of fruits and vegetables and high rates of anemia among women and girls. These factors contribute to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The minister called for a change in eating habits and an increase in physical activity.
The inauguration of this new cardiac unit is part of a broader strategy, aimed at strengthening the Mauritian health system in the face of these challenges. The Minister of the Environment, Kavydass Ramano, for his part, addressed the recent opening of a cardiac surgery center in Quatre-Bornes. He recalled the creation of a cancer center within a five-star hospital. These infrastructures, although vital, will not be enough to stop the progression of diseases if the root causes are not treated.
The representative of the World Health Organization, Dr Anne Ancia, recalled that heart disease and stroke alone represent 80% of deaths linked to heart conditions worldwide. She emphasized the need to recognize warning signs, such as chest pain and dizziness, symptoms that are often underestimated but can prove fatal.
She identified five risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity and air pollution. These elements are all targets for public and individual policies aimed at reducing the incidence of heart disease.
Dr Anne Ancia concluded her intervention by calling for increased investment in the early detection of cardiovascular diseases and the provision of essential treatments. “Ensuring equitable access to medications and follow-up care for those at risk is crucial,” she said. Access to care is a fundamental element in slowing the progression of heart disease and reducing premature mortality, according to her.
