WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY 2025: WHO supports Mauritius in improving patient safety at a click with Vigimobile national roll out

The Ministry of Health and Wellness with the support of the World Health Organization rolled out the National VigiMobile Programme at Sir Aneerood Jugnauth (SAJ) Hospital, Flacq on 17 September 2025 to mark the World Patient Safety Day this year.

For the first time, all hospitals and pharmacies in both public and private sectors in Mauritius will be equipped with this digital tool, enabling all health professionals-doctors, nurses, and pharmacists-to report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) in real time. This real-time data reporting system is critical to ensure patient safety.

The launch was attended by Mr. Jugmohunsing, Permanent Secretary; Dr. Ancia Anne, WHO Representative in Mauritius; Mrs. Maharaj, Deputy Permanent Secretary; Dr. Sookmanee, Regional Health Director, SAJ Hospital; and Mrs. Gopee, Ag. Director of Pharmacy Services, alongside health professionals from across the sectors.

Virtual interventions by Dr. Sujeet Jain and Mr. Magnus, high level experts from WHO Headquarters, Geneva and Uppsala Monitoring Centre respectively, captivated attention - reinforcing Mauritius' connection to the global pharmacovigilance community.

Pharmacovigilance is a cornerstone of patient safety. While medicines and vaccines save millions of lives every year, their safe use requires vigilance and timely reporting. By launching VigiMobile on Patient Safety Day, Mauritius reaffirms its commitment to making patient safety the foundation of healthcare.

Earlier this year, in February 2025, more than 100 health professionals working in public and private hospitals and pharmacies across the island, were trained on VigiMobile in view of enhancing the national pharmacovigilance system.

Mauritius is one of the few countries in the African region to establish a comprehensive, real-time pharmacovigilance system across both the private and public sectors - making patient safety a priority

A bold step forward

With the VigiMobile, every health professional-whether in a hospital ward, a private clinic or a private pharmacy-at a click will contribute to strengthening pharmacovigilance to ensure patient safety. This real-time reporting will strengthen national and global data, build public trust, and ensuring that patient care in Mauritius is safer than ever before.

Dr Anne Ancia, WHO Representative underlined, "but the ultimate success of VigiMobile will not depend only on technology. It will depend on you-the healthcare professionals who serve on the frontlines every day". She called upon the health workers to report diligently and to uphold a culture of vigilance, accountability, and continuous learning.

"Your vigilance will save lives. Your commitment will inspire trust. And your reports will shape the safety of medicines and vaccines not only for Mauritius but for the world", said Dr Ancia.

WHO remains fully committed to supporting Mauritius in strengthening pharmacovigilance, building institutional capacity, and ensuring sustainable digital solutions that put patient safety first.