India has committed to further support Seychelles’ health sector. The two governments have signed an agreement to facilitate the trade of medicines manufactured in India for use in Seychelles.
The Minister for Health, Marvin Fanny, said the agreement will allow Seychelles to purchase medicines at significantly lower prices.
“This will allow Seychelles to purchase medicine at a cost of 40% to 60% cheaper,” Mr Fanny said.
He added that the savings would support the ministry’s budget.
“This will help the budget of the Ministry of Health to give us the fiscal space to use that saving to improve services which the health ministry is offering,” he said.
Ambulance donation and training support
In addition, India has donated 10 new ambulances to Seychelles. Mr Fanny described them as advanced or sophisticated ambulances. Four others are basic ambulances.
The minister said the donation also includes a capacity-building component.
“At the moment we do not have trained paramedics in Seychelles, we have emergency technicians who work with ambulances,” Mr Fanny said.
He said Seychelles has asked India to provide trained paramedics to assist the Ministry of Health. These paramedics will support services while local staff undergo training. Local paramedics will eventually take over emergency services, he added.
New hospital planned in Roche Caiman
Furthermore, Mr Fanny confirmed that India has guaranteed to build a new hospital in Seychelles. Medical technicians within the Ministry of Health have already met to discuss the project and assess requirements.
The new hospital will be located at the site proposed by the previous government, in the vicinity of Roche Caiman.
Mr Fanny described the proposed facility as a turnkey hospital that will be fully equipped. When completed, all services from the current Seychelles Hospital will move to the new facility, he said.