Study MBBS in Mauritius 

Mauritius, officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) off the southeastern coast of the African continent, east of Madagascar. It comprises several islands, with the main island of Mauritius, along with Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon being the primary ones. These islands are part of the Mascarene Islands, which also include Réunion, a French overseas department. The country’s capital and largest city, Port Louis, are located on the main island of Mauritius, where the majority of the population resides. Mauritius covers an area of 2,040 square kilometers (790 square miles) and boasts an Exclusive Economic Zone spanning 2.3 million square kilometers.

The national anthem of Mauritius is “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici,” and the capital city is Port Louis. The official languages of the country are English and French.

The history of Mauritius involves various nations and explorers. Arab sailors may have been the first to discover the uninhabited island around 975 AD, which they referred to as Dina Arobi. However, the earliest confirmed discovery was made by Portuguese sailors in 1507, although they didn’t show significant interest in the islands. The Dutch briefly claimed Mauritius in 1598, establishing several short-lived settlements before abandoning their efforts in 1710. Subsequently, France took control in 1715, renaming the island Isle de France. In 1810, the British seized Mauritius from the French, and four years later, France ceded Mauritius and its dependencies to Britain. Under British rule, Mauritius included Rodrigues, Agalega, St. Brandon, Tromelin, the Chagos Archipelago, and, until 1906, the Seychelles. The sovereignty of Tromelin remains disputed between Mauritius and France, as it was not explicitly mentioned in the Treaty of Paris. Mauritius remained a primarily plantation-based colony of the United Kingdom until it gained independence in 1968.

In 1965, three years prior to Mauritius’ independence, the United Kingdom separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian territory and established the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which includes the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles. The local population was forcibly expelled, and the largest island, Diego Garcia, was leased to the United States. The UK has since restricted access to the Chagos Archipelago for casual tourists, media, and its former inhabitants. The sovereignty of the Chagos Islands is disputed between Mauritius and the UK. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion, ordering the UK to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as swiftly as possible to complete the decolonization of Mauritius.

Mauritius, along with the other Mascarene Islands, is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, with many species being endemic to the island. Notably, Mauritius was home to the dodo, which became extinct, along with several other avian species, due to human activities shortly after the island’s settlement.

The island of Mauritius was initially uninhabited before its first recorded visit by Portuguese sailors in the early 16th century. Arab sailors may have arrived earlier, as evidenced by the association of the name “Dina Arobi” with their visits. The Treaty of Tordesillas purportedly granted Portugal the right to colonize this region. In 1507, Portuguese sailors arrived at the uninhabited island and established a visiting base. Diogo Fernandes Pereira, a Portuguese navigator, was the first European known to have landed in Mauritius, naming the island “Ilha do Cirne” or “Island of Cirne.” However, the Portuguese did not maintain a significant presence on the island.

The Mascarene Islands, which include Mauritius, were named after Pedro Mascarenhas, the Viceroy of Portuguese India, following his visit to the islands in 1512. Rodrigues Island was named after the Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues, who first encountered the island in 1528.

Mauritius enjoys a classic tropical climate, characterized by warm weather throughout the year. Even during the winter months, from May to October, the temperature remains comfortably warm. In contrast, the summer months, from November to April, bring hot and humid conditions.

The national flag of Mauritius, known as the “Four Bands” or “Les Quatre Bandes,” was officially adopted on March 12, 1968, upon gaining independence. It features four horizontal bands of equal width, colored red, blue, yellow, and green. This flag was registered at the College of Arms in London on January 9, 1968. Additionally, the country has civil and government ensigns, which are red and blue flags, respectively, both featuring the national flag in the canton and the coat of arms of Mauritius in the fly.

First and foremost, it is essential to clarify that, according to the new guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), only those MBBS programs abroad are recognized in India that consist of 4.5 years of classroom teaching and include at least 1 year of internship. Unfortunately, MBBS courses offered by medical colleges in Mauritius do not meet these criteria, as they typically have a total duration of 5 years.

Given the current regulations, pursuing an MBBS in Mauritius would render you ineligible to appear for the NEXT (National Exit Test) examination, which is a mandatory requirement to practice medicine in India.

Therefore, it is crucial to consider these regulations and implications when contemplating pursuing an MBBS degree in Mauritius, as it may affect your ability to practice medicine in India.