India launches first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius to enhance health collaboration

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar launched India's first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius, demonstrating "close" bilateral collaboration, particularly in the important health sector. Jaishankar was in Mauritius for a two-day visit from June 16 to 17, one of the first countries he has visited during his tenure as External Affairs Minister.

Together with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, he launched India's first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra on Wednesday, "testifying to the close cooperation between our countries, especially in the important sector of health," according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. Jan Aushadhi Kendras are designed to provide everyone with access to reasonably priced generic medications.

"Delighted to inaugurate along with Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth the first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius. This Aushadi Kendra is the delivery of the promise made by PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar said in a post on X.



"The India-Mauritius health partnership project will supply cost-effective, Made-in-India medicines to augment public healthcare and enhance well-being," he added.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar and Prime Minister Jugnauth also dedicated a state-of-the-art medical facility in Grand Bois that was constructed with Indian grant aid. The Mediclinic was dubbed the "newest expression of our friendship" by Jaishankar.

"Joined Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth in inaugurating the new Mediclinic Project at Grand Bois in Mauritius. PM @narendramodi has rightly termed the India-Mauritius relationship as "Khoon ka Rishta" (blood relation)," he said in a post on X.

"Delivery of this project, which will provide healthcare services to more than 16,000 residents is the newest expression of our friendship. And of the people-centric development partnership that India-assisted projects offer," he said.

"I'm told it will provide secondary health care for 16,000 people in the Grand Pois area, and we feel very proud to be a partner in this collaboration," Jaishankar said in his address at the inauguration event.

"We feel proud because, after COVID-19, health is a priority...All of us have become health conscious," he said.

"We worry about things rightly so. But we also believe, all of us believe that health is our right. And that right today, every government has a duty to deliver," he said.

"For me to be part of such an important delivery event is something which is a matter of great satisfaction," he said.

Speaking about the Jan Aushadi Kendra, he said, "And today, to hear from the Health Minister that the Jan Aaushadi Kendra is operational, and that actually the Mauritius government will be seeking from us a list of, or a supply of key medicines, key medicines which common citizen uses on a regular basis, which will be available on an affordable basis. That is something which I consider to be a very, very important achievement on the health side."

Speaking about the upcoming metros, social housing projects, hospitals, clinics, Jan Aaushadhi Kendra, and digital education for Indian children, Jaishankar said, "it is natural that in our extended family, we would also like to share abroad and I am very glad today to have an opportunity to see that."

The Foreign Ministry released a statement stressing the "vibrant and people-centred India-Mauritius development cooperation" as Prime Minister Jugnauth and Jaishankar virtually launched 12 Community Development Projects supported by India. Jaishankar also met opposition leader Arvin Boolell and other prominent political figures in Mauritius during his tour, where they talked about ways to strengthen India's unique and long-lasting relationship with the island nation.

[With PTI inputs]