National SME Incubator Scheme – Providing a thrust to start up development in mauritius

Dissemination of Health Innovation initiatives

9 June 2025

The MRIC organised a half-day Health Innovation Dissemination event during which the outcomes of three health-focused projects were shared with stakeholders, comprising Government representatives, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

CarbInsulinAssist: Revolutionising Diabetes Management with Precision Insulin Dosage App

The project was presented by Mr Didier Jean-Pierre, Director and Co-Founder of T1Diams and the project collaborator Mr Linley Tanner from IThink Ltd. This innovative mobile application is designed to simplify the complex task of insulin dosage calculation for individuals with Type 1 diabetes. By utilising user-entered data, including insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate ratios, glucose levels, and an extensive database of local Mauritian food, the app would allow users to make informed decisions about insulin administration, thereby promoting better control of their condition.

Health and Wellness 2.0: Exergaming for Healthy Behaviours

This project was led by Dr Roushdat Elaheebocus from the Department of Digital Technologies, FoICDT University of Mauritius and focused on using exergaming as a low-cost approach to promoting physical exercise in Mauritius. By means of a cross-platform application based on the proprietary 'Behaviour Coach' framework, the app would encourage users to adopt a holistic approach by integrating exercise with other healthy behaviours. The initiative aimed to foster a culture of physical activity in the population, which is essential for preventing and managing conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

The Sport and Performance Nutrition Centre

This project led by Mr Yannick Lincoln, Director of High Performance Centre, Côte d'Or National Sports Complex, addressed the need to assess the impact of the Mauritian diet on sports performance. Aimed at enhancing the nutritional support of high-level national athletes, it seeks to ensure that they are following sport-specific diets that contribute to optimal performance. By providing scientific insights into the relationship between diet and athletic performance, this initiative aimed to better support Mauritius’ sports community.

20 August 2025

Topical oil formulation containing plant extracts with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties

The MRIC organized a dissemination event on the project which was presented by Associate Professor Dr V Neergheen, Director Doctoral School, Biopharmaceutical Unit, Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius. This project intended to develop stable nanoemulsion of five locally available food/medicinal plants, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties for subsequent incorporation in oil for topical use.

This project enabled the:

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of extracts from indigenous plants of Mauritius.
Preparation and characterisation of nanoemulsions containing plant extracts, assessment of the chemical and physical stabilities of the nanoemulsions and design of formulations with active nanoemulsions for potential commercialisation.

16 October 2025

A half-day seminar was held to disseminate projects that have been funded under the Thematic Area of Health Innovation. In this context, Project Leaders for three completed projects presented their results and discuss the implications of their findings. In addition, the MRIC showcased Mauritian expertise in the health sector and invited Dr Nankoo (Scientific Associate, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network and Sessional Faculty, University of Guelph-Humber, Ontario, Canada) to make an online presentation on “Advances in Neurophysiology with Focused Ultrasound.”

Immersive Technologies to improve health and wellness

The project was led by Dr N Laloo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Creative Arts, Film and Media Technologies, School of Innovative Technologies and Engineering, University of Technology, Mauritius. This project aimed to develop and evaluate an immersive technology-based health and wellness programme using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, mental well-being, relaxation, and stress management through engaging, interactive, and personalised experiences.

A food classification & recommendation system based on artificial intelligence to promote healthy dieting in Mauritius

Led by Dr G Suddul, Senior Lecturer, Head of Department, Department of Business Informatics & Software Engineering, School of Innovative Technologies & Engineering, University of Technology, this project aimed to automatically identify and classify Mauritian dishes from images using AI and Deep Learning. It involves creating a local food dataset, training and evaluating suitable models, and integrating the best-performing model into a mobile application with basic dietary recommendations. By combining smartphone cameras with AI, the system seeks to support healthier food choices and help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Assistance & Medical Emergency Services (AMES)

Led by Mr V Lalsing, Lead Auditor, TechApps Ltd, AMES is a mobile emergency system that connects users with the nearest available Community First Responder (CFR) based on their location. Users can request immediate assistance with one click, while CFRs can contact SAMU, Police, or Fire Services when necessary. The system aims to improve emergency response and save lives in Mauritius.

25 February 2026

A dissemination event was held at the company of the project leader Mr Gregory Martin, Mautopia Ltd in Trou aux Biches. The project Moskit0 has laid the foundations for a local mosquito repellant production line in Mauritius by actively structuring a plant-based value chain, from agroecological cultivation without phytosanitary inputs to formulation and transformation. Several natural formulations derived from plants from Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region have been developed and tested, demonstrating effective mosquito repellency while avoiding DEET-based chemical insecticides. By anchoring sourcing, processing and bottling locally, the project strengthens public health resilience and reduces dependence on imported products. It also integrates circular-economy principles through recycled containers and a deposit-return system, while preparing for market testing and future scaling in Mauritius, Rodrigues and the wider Indian Ocean region, with a strong focus on affordability.