The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) hosted a half-day Health Innovation Dissemination event on Monday 9 June 2025 at its headquarters in Ebène, bringing together stakeholders including government representatives, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share the outcomes of three focused health projects.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Theesan Bahorun, MRIC’s Executive Director, reflected on the funding allocated to these projects, which was secured following Les Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation held in 2022. He highlighted how these initiatives exemplify the power of applied research and user-driven innovation in directly addressing pressing health challenges faced by Mauritians.
Emphasizing the importance of evidence-based solutions, Prof. Bahorun underscored the health sector as one of the Council’s main priorities for research funding. He pointed out the transformative potential of innovation and technology in tackling longstanding issues such as chronic non-communicable diseases — including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions — that significantly impact public health.
Since the inception of Les Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation, the MRIC has funded 59 projects, with 13, totaling Rs 14.5 million, specifically targeting health issues. Following the recent Les Assises de la Recherche et de l’Innovation 2.0 held in January this year, the Council received 114 project proposals, 22 of which focus on health. The processes of selecting and awarding funding for these new proposals are currently underway.
Prof. Bahorun reaffirmed the MRIC’s commitment to fostering research and innovation that contribute tangible benefits to society and improve the well-being of the Mauritian population.
During the event, three key projects were presented:
CarbInsulinAssist: Developed by T1 Diams, this mobile application aims to revolutionize diabetes management through precise insulin dosage calculations. By enabling users to input personal data — including insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate ratios and glucose levels — and drawing on an extensive database of local Mauritian foods, the app empowers individuals with Type 1 diabetes to make informed decisions about insulin administration, leading to improved condition control.
Health and Wellness 2.0: This project promotes physical activity through the use of exergaming — a low-cost, engaging approach to encouraging healthy behaviors. Based on the proprietary ‘Behaviour Coach’ framework, the cross-platform application aims to motivate users to adopt a holistic approach to health by integrating exercise with other healthy habits. The initiative seeks to foster a culture of physical activity essential for preventing and managing conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
The Sport and Performance Nutrition Centre: Addressing the nutritional needs of Mauritian athletes, this project focuses on assessing how local diets influence sports performance. By providing scientific insights into diet-performance relationships, it aims to optimize nutritional support for high-level athletes, ensuring they follow sport-specific diets that enhance their performance. Ultimately, this initiative aspires to strengthen Mauritius’ sports community through evidence-based nutritional strategies.