A Platform for Dialogue and Innovation
With the theme “Building Bridges for Better Health Care”, the symposium created a dynamic space for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Over three days, participants engaged in keynote addresses, thematic forums, and hands-on workshops designed to tackle pressing healthcare challenges and explore innovative solutions.
The International Health Symposium 2026 – “Building Bridges for Better Healthcare” opened with an inspiring ceremony that highlighted the power of collaboration in addressing today’s global and regional health challenges.
Welcome addresses were delivered by Dr Jeremy Charoux, Executive Director of Charles Telfair Education (CTE); Hon. Anil Bachoo, Minister of Health & Wellness; and Prof Carlo Marra, Pro Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences at Curtin University Australia. The ceremony brought together more than 200 participants and over 50 speakers from Mauritius, Australia, France, South Africa, and beyond, underscoring the truly international scope of the event.
Addressing the audience, High Commissioner Kate Chamley reaffirmed Australia’s strong commitment to global health cooperation. She highlighted support for health leadership through the Australia Awards, partnerships with health-sector NGOs such as Australian Doctors for Africa, and advocacy for pandemic preparedness and equitable health access at the multilateral level.
In his keynote address on “Challenges & Trends in Global and Regional Health Care – the Power of Collaboration”, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed that overlapping health crises transcend borders and demand collective, coordinated solutions.
Interactive thematic forums followed, covering topics such as stroke rehabilitation, efficiency in critical care teams, health economics, and confronting substance abuse and suicide among youth.
Day 2 featured twelve thematic forums exploring diverse areas of healthcare. Topics included:
- Digitalisation in healthcare through e-records, apps, and telehealth
- Understanding neurodivergent development and support systems
- Women’s health across adolescence and maternity years
- Ambulatory surgery and home-based care
- Paediatric care and compassion in surgery
- Quality of life during palliative care
- Advances in cardiac surgery and research
- Elderly care and modern approaches to diagnosis and care plans
The day concluded with a plenary session summarising symposium highlights and a networking cocktail, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the event.
The final day focused on skill-building through workshops. Participants engaged in sessions on psychology fieldwork supervision, nursing preceptor training, advanced airways management, paediatric safety, end-of-life ethics, neurological capacity assessments in adults and children, and advanced life support in cardiac resuscitation. These workshops provided hands-on experience and strengthened professional competencies.
A Defining Moment for Healthcare in Mauritius
The International Health Symposium 2026 was more than an event; it was a defining moment for healthcare in Mauritius and the wider region. By fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines, Charles Telfair Education and Curtin University Mauritius have positioned Mauritius as a hub for healthcare dialogue and innovation.
