Primary Heath care in Mauritius

Hello,
I currently work in the UK as a General Practitioner (GP) but am keen to move to Mauritius so starting to look for job options. I have tried to research the Mauritian healthcare system on the Internet but have found very little relevant information so I would be grateful for any help answering the following questions-

1. Does primary health care exist in Mauritius as it does in the UK, for example would most people initially consult a GP for a non emergency health problem? Or would they go straight to a hospital/private specialist?
2. Do most GPs run their own practices independently or do they work out of larger health clinics along side other specialists? I have found a few Mauritian GPs details but none that seem to have a website with information other than their name and phone number.
3. Are most GPs a public health care service or do people see them privately if covered by their insurance? Or is it a mix of both?

I appreciate some of the information I need would be best to get from a GP already working in Mauritius but initially I would just like to get a basic idea from people who have experienced the Mauritian healthcare system either as patients or through their work.
Many thanks in advance for any help,
Fiona

Hello,

I'm not a GP but I try to give you a brief overview.

Healthcare in Mauritius is divided into 3 main segments; public (state) hospitals, private clinics and institutions and finally doctors with their own practices.

For non-emergency issues, people would either visit a public hospital or a private clinic. No need to check in with a GP first.

Now for more complicated problems, all 3 come into play.
The patient may choose to go to a public hospital. However public healthcare, while free,  tend to be slow and the level of services are sometimes substandard.

Or he/she may instead opt for a private clinic or a private practice but this comes at a cost.

That said, medical professionals who work with public or private hospitals often have their own practices. So the guy you see at a private consultation can be the same person working at a hospital or at a private clinic.

So the decision to choose one of the three rests mostly on other factors like your budget, comfort, level of services, amenities, intimacy, type of health complications, etc.
Example; if someone got health insurance, it would be logical to visit a private clinic.

Regarding job opportunities, it's mostly private clinics who recruit expats. However, to get a job, you will need a work or an occupation permit as a professional. And to obtain this sesame, you will have to prove your qualifications and experience.
And if I'm not mistaken, your credentials must be validated by the Medical Council of Mauritius before you can start on your job.

Thank you very much for your helpful reply. I have been emailing some of the private clinics and starting to get the process started.
Thanks again, Fiona

Good information