Death with Dignity: Is Mauritius Ready for End-of-Life Care?

Death is not a subject Mauritius talks about openly, yet the quality of care people receive in their final days has a profound impact on families, healthcare workers and the healthcare system as a whole. Writing in the Mauritius Times, public health commentator Shravan Nosib argues that discussing death is not a taboo to be avoided but an essential standard of care that every patient deserves.

The piece draws on a verse from the Rig Veda, one of Hinduism's oldest sacred texts, to frame the conversation around a universal human longing for a peaceful, dignified end to life. That spiritual framing reflects the reality of Mauritius, a multi-religious island where Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other traditions each carry distinct views on death, suffering and what constitutes a good death.

At the heart of the debate is end-of-life care, sometimes called palliative care. This is the medical and emotional support given to people who are seriously ill and approaching the end of life. It focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms and supporting the patient's wishes, rather than pursuing treatments aimed at cure. In many high-income countries, this is a well-funded, specialist field. In Mauritius, it remains underdeveloped within the public health system.

The concept of death with dignity goes further. It raises questions about patient autonomy, meaning a person's right to make informed decisions about their own treatment, including the right to refuse aggressive or life-prolonging interventions. In some countries, this debate has extended to the question of assisted dying or euthanasia, though the Mauritius discussion, at this stage, centres more on improving the quality of care available rather than legalising assisted death.

Mauritius operates a free public healthcare system managed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with major hospitals including Victoria Hospital in Candos, Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis and SSRN Hospital in Pamplemousses. Palliative care services do exist, but access is uneven, and many families find themselves managing the final stages of a loved one's illness largely at home and without adequate support.

The conversation is also shaped by the island's ageing population. According to Statistics Mauritius, the proportion of residents aged 60 and above is rising steadily, meaning more families will face end-of-life decisions in the years ahead. Without a clear legal framework or a well-resourced palliative care network, many patients risk dying in pain or in circumstances that do not reflect their wishes.

What this means: For Mauritians, this debate matters practically. If a family member is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the options available, whether a hospice, pain management, or a conversation with a doctor about the patient's final wishes, are still limited. Advocates argue that better training for healthcare workers, clearer guidelines on patient rights and more public discussion could significantly improve outcomes. The death with dignity debate is, at its core, a question about what kind of society Mauritius wants to be when its citizens are at their most vulnerable.

Source: Mauritius Times