Evolving Healthcare in Mauritius: The Case for Value-Based Care | Nadine Adam

Mauritius has made remarkable strides in improving access to quality healthcare. Our healthcare system, with its blend of government hospitals, private clinics, and dedicated professionals, has much to be proud of. However, as healthcare continues to evolve globally, it’s essential that we in Mauritius explore new models that can further enhance patient outcomes and ensure the sustainability of our healthcare system. One such model is value-based care.

Understanding the Current Healthcare Model With Nadine Adam Medtech

The traditional fee-for-service model that many of us are familiar with has been instrumental in expanding access to medical services. Under this system, healthcare providers are compensated based on the volume of services they deliver, such as consultations, tests, and procedures. In this blog Nadine Adam Medtech says that This model has enabled rapid growth and has ensured that patients can receive the care they need when they need it.

However, as our healthcare needs become more complex—particularly with the rise of chronic diseases—this model can sometimes lead to inefficiencies, such as unnecessary tests or hospital readmissions, which drive up costs without necessarily improving patient health. As we look to the future, it’s crucial that we consider models that align healthcare delivery with patient outcomes.

Why Consider Value-Based Care?

Value-based care offers an evolution rather than a replacement of our current system. It emphasizes rewarding healthcare providers not just for the quantity of services delivered but for the quality and outcomes of those services. 

Here’s why this shift could be beneficial for Mauritius:

• Enhanced Patient Outcomes: By focusing on long-term health and wellness, value-based care encourages a more personalized approach, where treatments and interventions are tailored to individual patient needs. This can lead to better management of chronic diseases, fewer hospital visits, and overall improved health for patients.

• Sustainable Healthcare: With healthcare costs rising globally, finding ways to deliver care more efficiently is critical. Value-based care helps reduce unnecessary procedures and hospitalizations, which can lower costs for both patients and the healthcare system, ensuring that resources are used where they have the most impact.

• Empowering Healthcare Professionals: Value-based care does not diminish the role of healthcare providers; rather, it supports them by incentivizing collaboration and continuous improvement in patient care. It encourages teamwork among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective treatment.

Illustrating Value-Based Care in Practice

To better understand how value-based care could be implemented in Mauritius, let’s explore a few examples from different medical specialties:

1. Cardiology: Comprehensive Heart Failure Management

• Current Challenges: Heart failure patients often experience fragmented care, leading to frequent hospital readmissions and a decline in quality of life due to poorly managed symptoms and complications.

• Value-Based Solution: A comprehensive heart failure management program integrates a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, primary care physicians, nurses, dietitians, and social workers. Nadine Adam Medtech says, The team provides coordinated care tailored to each patient’s needs, including regular follow-ups, medication management, dietary counseling, and exercise programs. Advanced remote monitoring devices track the patient’s vitals, enabling early intervention when issues arise.

• Impact: This approach has resulted in a significant reduction in hospital readmissions, improved medication adherence, and enhanced patient quality of life. Patients report feeling more supported and better able to manage their condition at home, reducing the burden on the healthcare system and improving long-term outcomes.

2. Orthopedics: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Joint Replacement

• Current Challenges: Traditional joint replacement surgeries often have varied outcomes due to inconsistencies in pre-operative preparation, surgical techniques, and post-operative care, leading to complications, prolonged recovery times, and readmissions.

• Value-Based Solution: The implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for joint replacement surgeries standardizes best practices across the entire care continuum, including pre-operative optimization, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and structured post-operative rehabilitation. Bundled payments ensure all aspects of care, from pre-surgery consultations to post-operative recovery, are covered, incentivizing healthcare providers to focus on quality and efficiency.

• Impact: ERAS protocols can reduce hospital stays, decrease the rate of post-operative complications, and improve overall patient satisfaction. Patients recover faster and with fewer complications, reducing the long-term costs associated with joint replacement surgeries.

3. Ophthalmology: Integrated Care Pathways for Diabetic Retinopathy

• Current Challenges: Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness, is often detected too late due to fragmented care and lack of regular screening, especially among high-risk populations.

• Value-Based Solution: An integrated care pathway for diabetic retinopathy focuses on early detection, standardized treatment protocols, and continuous follow-up. Primary care providers, ophthalmologists, and diabetes specialists collaborate to ensure that patients receive regular eye screenings as part of their diabetes management plan. Those diagnosed with retinopathy are provided with personalized treatment plans, including laser therapy or injections, and are monitored closely to prevent disease progression.

• Impact: This integrated approach has led to earlier detection of diabetic retinopathy, reducing the incidence of severe vision loss. Patient satisfaction increases as they receive consistent, coordinated care, and the overall cost burden on the healthcare system is reduced by preventing advanced stages of the disease that require more intensive and expensive treatments.

Learning from Global Leaders

Countries like the United States, Sweden, and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of adopting value-based care principles. The U.S. has implemented extensive value-based programs in Medicare, while Sweden and the Netherlands have focused on patient-centered, outcomes-based care models. These countries have seen improvements in patient outcomes and cost efficiencies, providing a compelling case for why Mauritius could benefit from a similar approach.

Moving Forward Together

According to Nadine Adam CEO of Medtech Mauritius (Chemtech Medical Changes to Medtech), Adopting value-based care in Mauritius will be a collaborative journey. It’s not about abandoning the strengths of our current system but about building on them to create a more resilient and patient-centered healthcare environment. Government hospitals, private clinics, and doctors will all play a crucial role in this transition. By working together, we can develop the infrastructure, training, and policies needed to make value-based care a reality.

At Medtech Mauritius, we are committed to supporting this transition by leveraging our 30-year market leadership and expertise as the most experienced medical equipment supplier to medical professionals in Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar. Our expert team is uniquely trusted for their hands-on surgical assistance and unmatched product training in our state-of-the-art facilities. We believe that our deep commitment to superior clinical outcomes will be instrumental in advancing healthcare in these regions. By embracing value-based care, we can ensure a healthier future for all Mauritians.

Conclusion: Leading the Future of Healthcare in Mauritius

Let’s continue to lead in healthcare, not just by responding to challenges but by proactively shaping the future. Together, Nadine Adam Medtech Mauritius can make value-based care a cornerstone of healthcare in Mauritius, improving the lives of our patients and the sustainability of our healthcare system.