Ants found in a newborn's incubator. The health minister says he's taking it 'very seriously.'
Health Minister Anil Bachoo confirmed in parliament Tuesday that an internal investigation is underway at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital after a father reported finding ants inside his newborn's incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit. The baby had been admitted on 16 February. The probe opened officially on 12 March and also covers a separate allegation that the infant was given expired colic drops.
Hospital staff say the equipment was clean and no insects were present. Bachoo said he is reviewing the case file to establish accountability and has also received complaints about the conduct of certain hospital officials. No outcome has been announced.
A NICU should be the most controlled environment in any hospital. Two protocol failures in one case is one too many.
Civil servants' work-from-home plan: announced Tuesday, cancelled Wednesday
One day. That is how long it took the government to reverse a policy it had framed as a serious response to the Middle East crisis. A circular signed by the Secretary for Public Service introduced remote work, flexitime, and hybrid arrangements across the civil service starting 11 May, citing the economic fallout from regional conflict. By Wednesday, a second circular cancelled the first 'with immediate effect', adding that 'any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.'
The original circular — titled 'Response to the Conflict in the Middle East' — had already spread widely on social media before the reversal. No explanation was given for the withdrawal. The cancelled note had been addressed to all ministries, departments, and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly.
STC stockpiling milk and flour as Middle East disruption hits supply chains
Following a four-hour board meeting Tuesday evening, the State Trading Corporation (STC) confirmed it will issue new tenders for strategic milk and flour reserves, protecting against disruptions tied to Middle East conflict. The STC said it also made substantial recent purchases of edible oil through Moroil to shore up stocks. One detail buried in the meeting report stood out: the STC runs its national distribution network with just two delivery trucks, a fleet the board itself called 'insufficient.' An expansion has been approved.
765 complaints and counting: invasive beetle is destroying ambarella trees island-wide
An outbreak of a pest known as the Hog Plum Beetle has generated 765 official complaints as of 30 April, as the insect spreads across ambarella trees throughout the island. The government has intervened but growers say the damage is already widespread. Ambarella, the tart green fruit sold roadside across Mauritius, is one of the more visible casualties of an invasive species that appeared without warning.
Shorts
500 jobs in doubt at three linked factories – Three factories in the same group face possible closure, with 480 workers unpaid for April and facing mounting uncertainty over the group's finances.
Fishermen: diesel costs doubled in 2 months – Fuel costs for one fishing run jumped from Rs 99,000 to Rs 210,000, pushing small fishing operators to the edge of survival.
Rodrigues logs its first local chikungunya case – A 45-year-old man from La Ferme tested positive with no recent travel history, confirming local transmission on the island for the first time this year.
Man slapped on metro for keeping his seat – A 63-year-old retiree was struck aboard the metro near Rose-Hill after a passenger demanded he give up his seat, per a police report filed this week.
Voter registration opens 16 May – The Electoral Commissioner's office launched its awareness campaign ahead of a registration exercise running from 16 to 30 May in dedicated centres across all constituencies.
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