Aussie News - Issue 24 - March 2007

Visit of International diabetes expert, Professor Paul Zimmet

Left to right: Prof.Zimmet, Ian
McConville and Hon Satya Faugoo,
Minister of Health and Quality of life.

We were very pleased to support the visit of distinguished international diabetes expert, Professor Paul Zimmet, to Mauritius from 11 to 18 January 2007. Professor Zimmet, AO, who is Director of the International Diabetes Institute (IDI), Australia, based in Melbourne, has had a long professional association with Mauritius over the past 25 years and has developed excellent partnerships with the medical community in Mauritius.

In the course of a very productive visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and IDI which involved the granting of AUD $30 000 by IDI towards completing an ongoing study of diabetes disease and risk factor prevalence in Mauritius. This was witnessed by the Hon Satya Faugoo, Minister for Health and Quality of Life, and the Australian High Commissioner.

Other highlights of the visit included a courtesy call on Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, as well as attending, along with Mrs Vivian Zimmet, the Minister for Health and Quality of Life and other distinguished invitees, a reception at the High Commissioner’ Residence on 16 January.