On the 19th and 20th July 2024, the Committee on Communicable Disease, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) conducted oversight visits to the Inner Islands health facilities, as part of the National Assembly’s commitment to robust governance and accountability. Health facilities play a critical role in providing essential services to communities; ensuring their effectiveness, accessibility, and quality is vital for promoting public health and well-being. The visits were conducted by Chairperson Hon. Egbert Aglae, accompanied by Vice-Chairperson Hon. Kelly Samynadin, Hon. John Hoareau, Hon. Audrey Vidot, Hon. Francois Adelaide, Hon. Andy Labonte and Hon. Doyace Porice. Assistance was provided by Committee Secretary Ms. Genevieve Daniel and Assistant Secretary Ms. Petra Tirant. Also accompanying the Committee were Hon. Wavel Woodcock and Hon. Rocky Uranie, in their capacities as representatives of Grand Anse Praslin and the Inner Islands respectively.
The primary purpose of the oversight visits to the Grand Anse clinic and Baie Ste Anne hospital on Praslin, and the St. Mary’s hospital on La Digue were to evaluate health services related to communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, and sexual reproductive health and rights. The focus being on preventive healthcare strategies, access to healthcare services, healthcare infrastructure and capacity building and policy development and implementation.
The visits provided for an in-depth understanding of the facilities’ infrastructure and equipment, staff capacity and training needs, service delivery mechanisms, policies and guidelines, and the integration of communicable diseases, SRHR and HIV/AIDS services, in alignment with national priorities.
By examining these areas, Members of the Committee were able to detect gaps and identify best practices and opportunities for improvement. Each visit was followed by a meeting with the relevant health professionals who provided further information. The expected outcomes of the visits are geared towards a deeper understanding of the health facilities’ operations, the identification of best practices and successful interventions, evidence-based data for enhancing services, ensuring necessary changes at the policy and budgetary levels, advocacy for increased budgetary allocations to address gaps, recommendations for strengthening health services and facilities and the amendment of, or initiation of legislation.
