Mauritius Telecom Marks World Heart Day With Health Drive

Mauritius Telecom, the island's leading telecommunications provider, is marking World Heart Day with a dedicated public awareness campaign focused on cardiovascular health. World Heart Day is observed globally on 29 September each year. It was established by the World Heart Federation to draw attention to heart disease and stroke — together the world's leading cause of death, responsible for an estimated 20.5 million deaths annually worldwide. In Mauritius, cardiovascular disease is a serious and growing public health concern. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, account for the majority of deaths on the island each year, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and poor diet are widely prevalent across the population. Mauritius Telecom — majority owned by the Mauritian state and operating brands including My.t — has not limited its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to the telecoms sector. The company has previously engaged in health, education, and environmental campaigns as part of its community outreach mandate. While full details of this year's campaign activities were not disclosed in the original report, such initiatives typically include on-site health screenings for employees, social media awareness drives, informational materials distributed to the public, and partnerships with health organisations or clinics. **What This Means** For ordinary Mauritians, corporate-led health campaigns like this one serve as a timely reminder to get blood pressure and cholesterol checked, adopt healthier lifestyles, and recognise early warning signs of heart disease — such as chest pain, breathlessness, or irregular heartbeat. The Mauritius Institute of Health and the Ministry of Health and Wellness are the primary public bodies responsible for NCD prevention on the island. Several government and private hospitals, including Cardiac Centre at Pamplemousses Specialised Hospital in the north of the island, offer cardiac care services. Health professionals consistently emphasise that many heart attacks and strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes: a balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, and managing stress. Mauritius Telecom's involvement also reflects a broader trend of large Mauritian employers using their platforms and employee networks to promote public health — a role that becomes especially important on awareness days when health messaging reaches a wider audience. Source: Le Defi Media