President Dr Patrick Herminie has indicated that major renovation works are being considered for the Baie Ste Anne District Hospital, while plans for a new healthcare centre are being explored for Grand Anse Praslin, following visits of the island’s two key public health facilities this week as part of his ongoing Inner Islands engagement. Discussions during the visits highlighted several operational challenges affecting healthcare delivery on the island, including staffing pressures, maintenance needs and facility upkeep.
The President was accompanied by Minister for Health Dr Marvin Fanny, Minister for Local Government and Inner Islands Ms Eveline Rose, and Members of the National Assembly for Baie Ste Anne Hon. Churchill Gill and Grand Anse Praslin Hon. Alvin Grandcourt.
Baie Ste Anne Hospital
The delegation’s first stop was the Baie Ste Anne District Hospital, the island’s principal public health facility, which serves as the primary referral centre for Praslin and neighbouring La Digue. The hospital provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency care, maternity, general medicine, and primary healthcare, and plays a critical role in the delivery of health services to communities across the Inner Islands.
Received by the nurse in charge of the facility, the President gained a broader understanding of the health situation on the island. Officials raised pressing concerns around staffing levels, the building maintenance, and broader operational conditions that directly impact the quality of care delivered to patients.
Grand Anse Health Centre
Continuing his programme, President Herminie proceeded to the Grand Anse Health Centre, where he met with healthcare professionals and staff to discuss the delivery of medical services within the district. The President toured various sections of the centre and received briefings on ongoing operational challenges, staffing matters, and the needs of patients accessing care in the area.
Way Forward
Speaking to the media following his visits, President Herminie outlined serval aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure and service delivery on Praslin next steps his office intends to pursue in response to what he observed. For Grand Anse Praslin, the President indicated that the construction of a new healthcare centre is being explored as a long-term solution to support growing healthcare needs. Regarding the Baie Ste Anne District Hospital, he was unequivocal that the facility requires major renovation. Built in 1997, the hospital has suffered from inadequate preventive maintenance over the years, leaving it in a condition that no longer meets the standard expected of a primary public health facility. President Herminie confirmed that disuccions will be held with the Vice-President to determine the most appropriate way forward on both matters.
The visits to both facilities formed part of a wider series of institutional engagements conducted by President Herminie across the Inner Islands, during which he toured key public facilities and received direct updates on their operations, needs, and development challenges.