Mauritius is currently working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which form MDG 4, Mauritius should reduce underfive deaths per 1,000 live births to eight, and increase measles immunisation to 100 per cent by 2015. In 2012, under-five mortality stood at 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, and measles immunisation at 99 per cent. The rate of decline for under-five mortality must be increased if Mauritius is to achieve its target by 2015. but the measles immunisation target is likely to be achieved.
The global MDG 5 target for maternal health is to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by threequarters between 1990 and 2015. When applying this target to Mauritius, the maternal mortality should fall to 17 cases per 100,000 live births. In the period 2007-11 Mauritius had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 22 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 60 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies/World Bank in 2010). Based on the data reported by the country it can be seen that this target is close to achievement. Part of the goal also stipulates that 100 per cent of births must be attended by a skilled health professional. In the period 2007-12 this figure stood at 98 per cent, so this target is likely to be achieved.
MDG 6 aims for a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, malaria and other diseases. There has been no overall decline or increase in the prevalence of HIV in the period 2008-11, and a consistent decline in the incidence of tuberculosis in the period 1990-2010. A significant reduction in prevalence and mortality of these diseases is required if the country is to achieve MDG 6.
The Post-2015 UN Development Agenda ‘The Future We Want’ National Report on the Republic of Mauritius highlights several issues that need to be addressed in the country’s post 2015 development strategy. Efforts should be focused on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases; should further reduce child and maternal mortality; should reinforce the fight against HIV/AIDS; and should address mental health issues more effectively. The report also suggests that those issues highlighted under the MDGs should be combined and approached as an overarching aim of ‘universal health coverage’, in a bid to reduce health inequities.
