ANS: In a significant diplomatic move aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility abroad, India inaugurated its first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius. The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by External Affairs Minister EAM Jaishankar and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.
The Jan Aushadi Kendra, a project promised earlier this year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide cost-effective, Made-in-India medicines to bolster public healthcare in Mauritius.
Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, highlighting its role in strengthening the India-Mauritius health partnership.
During his official visit to Mauritius, EAM Jaishankar also launched a state-of-the-art medical facility, the Mediclinic in Grand Bois, which was constructed with Indian grant assistance.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Jaishankar emphasized the facility’s capacity to deliver secondary healthcare services to approximately 16,000 residents of the Grand Bois area.
“This initiative is the latest testament to the deepening friendship between India and Mauritius,” stated Jaishankar, underscoring the significance of healthcare cooperation, especially in the post-pandemic era.
The establishment of the Jan Aushadi Kendra and the Mediclinic underscores India’s commitment to supporting healthcare infrastructure abroad and fostering stronger bilateral ties through collaborative initiatives in public health.