Centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Our Team

We started small with one doctor and six nurses in 2018 and have grown steadily since. Today, our team boasts four doctors, eleven nurses, and six healthcare assistants, all dedicated to investigating, diagnosing, and treating gastrointestinal and hepatology diseases.

Our services aim to provide prompt and comprehensive care:

Daily Ward Rounds for In-Patients

Patients admitted during the day or overnight receive immediate attention, with all necessary investigations and in-patient endoscopies completed within 24 hours.

Rapid access to therapeutic endoscopy enhances patient care and hospital experience.
Daily Out-Patient Slots

Referrals from casualty are seen within 14 days, minimizing the need for multiple visits.

We offer on-the-spot phlebotomy, endoscopy scheduling, and rapid referrals to specialized services to streamline patient visits.
Hepatitis C Treatment

Early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C Virus are crucial for minimizing its impact.

Our emphasis on screening and linkage to care ensures patients receive timely treatment with minimal side effects, enabling them to lead normal lives.
Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer is prevalent in Mauritius. Our active efforts focus on launching a screening program for early cancer detection and prevention, aiming to reduce the incidence and prevalence of CRC in our population.

Dr. Heetun

MB BCh BAO BA, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Heetun joined Dr. Abdool Gaffoor Jeetoo Hospital (AGJH) as Gastroenterology Advisor in October 2017. He was a laureate in 2000 and completed his undergraduate and post-graduate studies in Dublin, Ireland. Since his appointment, he's been dedicated to expanding gastroenterology and hepatology services in Mauritius.

More about Dr Heetun

Speciality
Education
Experience

He did his speciality training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and worked previously in the Liver Transplant Unit, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.

He did his post-graduate research fellowship as the Abbvie Newman Scholar in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin.

MB BCh BAO BA, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (2006)
Membership of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI - 2009)
Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Gastroenterology and General internal Medicine (2015)

Under his guidance, endoscopy procedures at AGJH increased from 800 to over 6000 annually, including complex therapeutic endoscopies. He established the GI-OPD, catering to 15,000 patients annually. As chairperson of the National Committee for Viral Hepatitis, he facilitated treatment for over 2000 hepatitis C patients. Recently, he spearheaded the establishment of the Centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology at AGJH in 2023, providing comprehensive care and serving as a tertiary referral center for complex GI cases.

Currently, Dr. Heetun is focused on launching the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, aiming for implementation in the near future. His commitment to advancing GI and hepatology care in Mauritius underscores his dedication to improving patient outcomes and overall health in the community.

Nursing Officers

Our nursing officers (NOs) bring a wide array of experience and diverse perspectives to our unit, each contributing uniquely to its operation and growth. Trained at the School of Nursing and having worked in various healthcare settings, they are well-equipped to provide compassionate and competent care.

We have actively prioritized the ongoing learning and empowerment of our NOs. They actively engage in Continued Medical Education (CME) to stay updated on the latest developments in gastroenterology and enhance their communication skills with patients. From obtaining pre-procedure consent to offering post-procedure advice, our NOs play a vital role in patient care.

Furthermore, our NOs lead the charge in the National Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, screening patients and ensuring they are linked to care. Their steadfast dedication to providing exceptional care ensures that our patients receive top-quality treatment, while their ongoing commitment to learning drives the continuous improvement of medical knowledge in gastroenterology.

Health Care Assistants

Upon joining our unit, Health Care Assistants (HCAs) brought fresh perspectives and valuable contributions to our team. Selected through a rigorous interview process similar to MHOs and NOs, HCAs play a crucial role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the unit. They worked closely with NOs and gradually developed specialized skills to enhance patient care.

HCAs actively participate in our regular CME sessions, fostering ongoing development and empowerment. They have taken on key responsibilities such as overseeing the entire decontamination process of endoscopes post-procedure and assisting with phlebotomy, contact tracing and tracking of laboratory results. Their efforts ensure the smooth functioning of both the endoscopy unit and outpatient department.

Through the combined efforts of HCAs and NOs, we have achieved a significant reduction in repeat appointments and improved patient satisfaction. Their steadfast commitment to delivering outstanding care ensures our patients receive top-notch treatment, while their dedication to learning drives ongoing advancements in gastroenterology.