History

We are researching the history of nephrology, dialysis and transplantation in Mauritius. If you have news cuttings, documents and stories to share, please contact us.

  • Nephrology Timeline

  • 17 December 1980

    First kidney transplantation performed by Dr M Modun with Dr M Li Sung Sang as nephrologist in a private clinic – La Clinique Mauricienne. The operation is a success and the transplant functions over 30yrs.

  • 1982

    Transplantation in private clinics comes to an end. Reasons are unclear.

  • 1984 to 1997

    Mauritians with advanced kidney failure go abroad to get transplanted mostly from an accompanying live donor.Most go to South Africa (1984 – 1997) and India (1990-1993) and a few from the UK, France and Australia. A few go to India to ‘buy’ kidneys with rather poor results.

  • 1991

    First dialysis performed in a private institution

  • March 1992-1995

    Foreign teams come to Mauritius to perform live related kidney transplants in public hospitals: 6 visits by an Indian transplant team led by Dr Devendra Saksena and two by a South Africa team led by Dr Dilawar Kahn.

    The newspaper cutting above describes the first kidney transplant in a public hospital done on 11 March 1992 by Prof Devendra Saksena.

  • June 1992

    The Association pour l’Utilisation du Rein Artificiel à Maurice (AURAM) is set up in Pamplemousses next to SSR National Hospital with private funds with help of AURAR, a private non-profit organisation from Réunion. Mr Benydeen is the responsible nursing officer.

  • 1995

    For the first time, a local team performs one kidney transplant in a public hospital in 1993. However, it’s only from 1995, that the local team start a sustained programme that would do about 10 transplants a year for the next 20 years. The surgeons are Dr R Upadhyaya and Dr Bundhun and the nephrologist is Dr S Gaya.

  • July 1995

    The National Trust Fund for Renal Dialysis Treatment is set up by the Government to assist kidney failure and dialysis. Although most of the costs is met by the Fund, patients have to pay Rs 300 per dialysis session.

  • November 1995

    A Renal Dialysis Unit was set up at the Victoria Hospital supported by the Trust Fund. It started operation with donated second hand machines. However, the increasing number of patients and lack of facilities meant most patients were still being treated at private clinics.

  • 1997

    Haemodialysis is made totally free in Mauritius

  • 2000

    Two new haemodialysis units were set up – one at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital (April 2000) and the other at Jawaharlall Nehru Hospital (May 2000), following a donation of 14 dialysis machines from the World Health Organisation.

    Opening of a new haemodialysis unit opposite SSRN Hospital.

  • 2002

    The first public dialysis unit in Port Louis open in the rented upper floor of the Local Health Centre at Volcy Pougnet Street, a stone throw from the AG Jeetoo Hospital. It starts with 5 Nipro Type 2 dialysis machines.

  • April 2003

    A new haemodialysis unit is open in Riche Mare in Centre de Flacq at a distance from Flacq Hospital. With this latest opening, all the five regional hospitals in Mauritius have an attcahed dialysis unit each.

  • 15 July 2006

    Human Tissue (Removal, Preservation and Transplant) Act is voted at the National Assembly.

  • April 2002

    The new AG Jeetoo hospital opens with first haemodialysis unit in purpose-built premises.

  • 2014

    Erythropoeitin (a hormone to treat anaemia) injections is made free for all dialysis patients.

  • 2018

  • 18 January 2019

    Opening of a second new haemodialysis unit at AG Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis which doubles the capacity at the hospital from 21 dialysis machines to 47

    Picture from Le Défi news article

  • 26 July 2019

    The Renal Association is born!

  • March 2020

    Mauritius like most countries in the world goes into lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dialysis units mobilise to keep vulnerable dialysis patients safe.

  • 3 March 2021

    A new satellite haemodialysis unit opens at Long Mountain Hospital. Linked to the main unit at SSRN Hospital, it has 20 brand new dialysis machines.

  • 19 August 2021

    The Ministry of Health and Welllness creates the Nephrology Unit which is now separate from the Medical unit with a Consultant-in-Charge and 5 nephrologists in the 5 regional hospitals.

  • 19 October 2021

    Launch of the first ever formal training for renal nurses in Mauritius in the form of the ‘Certificate of Nephrology’ by the Ministry of Health and Wellness at the Mauritius Institue of Health.