On Wednesday 7 January 2026, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr. Anil Kumar Bachoo, met with Professor Ashley Lucien Joseph D’Cruz, the Director of the Hospital and Chief of the Paediatric Surgery Department at Narayana Health in Bangalore, at the ENT Hospital in Vacoas. This marked Professor D’Cruz’s 13th visit to Mauritius.
Professor D’Cruz is a renowned and senior surgeon from India, recognized for his pioneering work in liver transplantation for children. He has also served as President of the College of Paediatric Surgeons of India and is an experienced kidney transplant surgeon for both pediatric and adult patients.
In a statement, Minister Bachoo expressed his deep appreciation for Professor D’Cruz’s ongoing and invaluable contributions to the Mauritian healthcare sector. He noted that since 2016, Professor D’Cruz has performed surgical procedures on more than 200 children and emphasized that his visits help strengthen the skills and expertise of Mauritian healthcare professionals.
Minister Bachoo highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to enhance the national healthcare system through advanced technology and specialized medical services. He announced that Mauritius is set to introduce bone marrow transplantation later this year, with Professor D’Cruz’s support.
Professor D’Cruz emphasized the significance of adopting robotic surgery to carry out complex procedures such as kidney, liver and bone marrow transplants locally. He noted that the current infrastructure and equipment at the New ENT Hospital are well-equipped for such advanced surgeries and affirmed his commitment to providing technical assistance.
During his current visit, Professor D’Cruz has undertaken more complex surgical cases. To date, he has examined 25 patients and performed five surgeries, including two oesophageal replacement procedures, each lasting approximately six hours. Both children are now recovering well in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.