| Services for Medical Unit/ Medical Tribunal
| Department | Services Description | | Medical Unit | Carry out medical examinations with a view to assessing the eligibility of claimants for Social Aid, Invalidity pensions, Industrial Injury Allowance and Pensions. - undertakes domiciliary visits for person aged 90 + and visits to charitable institutions operating under the aegis of the Ministry | Other services (a) Services offered to Prisons Since January 2002, the Medical Unit has been providing Medical Officers to prisons.
Dr Seegoolam is posted at GRNW Prison, Petit Verger Prison and Richelieu Open Prison and Dr Sonah at Female Prison and Rehabilitation Youth Centre. (b) Anti-Flu Vaccination Campaign for the Elderly For the past 3 years Anti-influenza vaccines have been provided to the older persons in order to prevent complications due to influenza and to improve the quality of life of the elderly. It is now the policy of the Ministry to vaccinate inmates of Charitable Institutions & Orphanages & Disabled Children attending Special Schools each year. The Medical Unit ensures that the vaccines are duly distributed and that the vaccination are done in time. (c) Charitable Institutions There are around 20 Institutions for the elderly and orphanages which are provided grants by this Ministry. The Medical Unit has the responsibility to provide weekly medical visits to the Institutions. The services of nurses are made available to Charitable Institutions. They dispense nursing care, keep medical records and are responsible for the distribution of prescribed medicines. The doctors and nurses also make sure that the Institutions specially the kitchen function under good hygienic conditions. A pilot project on Psychiatric Care to mentally-ill inmates is presently under way. This project will eventually be extended to those who live in the family unit. The aim is to provide improved psychiatric care and mental rehabilitation services to those who suffer from mental illness. Equipment have been made available for the rehabilitation of the elderly inmates who have lost their independence and autonomy. Staff members have been provided appropriate training accordingly to give care to the elderly persons. Besides doctors working at these institutions have been given a training in psychiatric medicine. (d) Sub-Committee on "Health and Nutrition" and "Charitable Institutions" The Medical Director chairs a sub-committee on " Health and Nutrition" and "Charitable Institutions" of the National Policy of the Elderly. The objective of this sub-committee is to see to it that all policies formulated therein are duly implemented. A plan of action will be elaborated in due course. (e) Survey on Children with disabilities Following a National Survey on children with disabilities commissioned by the parent Ministry, a technical committee headed by the Director, Medical Unit is analysing the findings. A report will be released in due course. (f) Skills Development Scheme for Disabled Persons Under the above scheme, a panel at the level of the Medical Unit is presently assessing candidates in the selection exercise for employment at the parent Ministry. (g) Psychiatric Care for Elderly Under the Project MAR/708, an Assessment Team has been constituted with the Director, Medical Unit as the Chairperson to cater for elderly suffering from psychiatric problems. The main function of the Assessment Team is to set up and monitor the functioning of Rehabilitation Units which will be called upon to deliver rehabilitation programmes prescribed by the Assessment Team for persons with mental problems. This will help them to promote their independence and facilitate their integration in the mainstream of their life. A pilot project is under way in respect of such persons identified in Charitable Institutions found in the region of Plaines Wilhems. (h) Networking with Senior Citizen Council The Medical Unit works in close collaboration with the Senior Citizen Council with a view to promote the health of members of the Senior Citizens Association affiliated thereto through regular education programmes. (i) Networking with National Aids Unit The Unit collaborates with the National Aids Unit as regards control of Aids in relation to drug consumption and commercial sex workers. A plan of action is presently being prepared on the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers. (j) MBC Radio Programme Every Friday between the hours 1400 to 1500, a live radio programme on specific issues related to elderly is held with the participation of the Director, Medical Unit or her representative. The programme has a wide audience and the general public gets the opportunity to ask any question on the topic addressed. (k) Rodrigues The Medical Unit sees to it that everything related to health promotion and disease prevention in Mauritius is replicated in Rodrigues. For instance Health and Nutrition Clubs for elderly are already operational in Rodrigues. Furthermore, anti-flu vaccines have been made available for Elderly and Disabled Children. | 
