by Alvyn Ulrish Shad Savrimuthu
Life Together, with its diverse entities, has a mission to reshape healthcare and well-being in Mauritius. By putting the patient at the heart of its services, the organisation aims to establish a relationship of trust and compassion between patients and healthcare professionals. This focus on delivering high-quality medical care in a modern and innovative environment is reflected in two of its key centres—Life | Nova+ and Life | Viva, both located in Cap Tamarin.
Platform Africa had the opportunity to visit these state-of-the-art facilities and speak with the two women leading them: Anne-Elisabeth Guerra, CEO of Life | Nova+ Diagnostic & Laboratory, and Lizy Jugroo, OT Manager of Life | Viva. Here’s what they had to say about their respective centres and the impact they are making in the healthcare sector in Mauritius.
Life | Nova+: Advanced Diagnostics for Holistic Care
Anne-Elisabeth Guerra shared that Life | Nova+ is part of Life Together’s Diagnostic & Analysis pillar. The centre “represents a new generation of diagnostic and biomedical laboratories,” and is focused on offering a “compassionate and personalised approach to diagnostics.” Their services range from laboratory tests and radiology to specialist consultations. These services, available at their locations in Healthscape Forbach and Cap Tamarin, allow patients to access everything from blood tests to emergency medical care. The centre’s mission is to put the patient at the heart of its services while fostering collaboration between specialists to provide holistic care.
Anne-Elisabeth explained that Life | Nova+ encourages patients to become active participants in their own healthcare, promoting “a collaborative approach between specialists” to ensure personalised care at every step of the patient’s journey.
When discussing the centre’s use of advanced technology, Anne-Elisabeth highlighted the benefits of 4D ultrasound and digital X-rays. These tools offer real-time imaging that leads to “more precise diagnoses and treatments,” significantly improving the quality of care. The 4D ultrasound allows for real-time visualisation of organs and tissues, enabling quicker interventions. Similarly, the digital X-ray provides high-quality images while minimising radiation exposure, ensuring fast and precise results. Additionally, interventional radiology has transformed treatment options for complex medical conditions, offering “less invasive solutions and quicker recovery times.”
On the topic of accessibility and cost optimisation, Anne-Elisabeth shared that Life | Nova+ focuses on making its services more accessible through investment in advanced technology and efficient processes. This allows for rapid and reliable diagnostics, which helps prevent expensive late-stage treatments. “By investing in technology and optimising processes,” she said, “we can ensure faster and more accurate diagnoses, which ultimately reduces costs for patients.” She also mentioned the importance of prevention, noting that Life | Nova+ offers health check-ups and corporate health programmes aimed at early detection of illnesses.
As a female leader, Anne-Elisabeth reflected on her role in promoting gender equality. She emphasised that women play a vital role in healthcare, both globally and within Life Together, where several women manage key services. “At Life | Nova+, we promote equal opportunities, valuing every team member’s skills regardless of gender.” Anne-Elisabeth is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women not just in healthcare but in society as a whole.
Looking to the future, Life | Nova+ aims to expand its services, particularly by introducing more medical specialties to meet the growing needs of the western region of Mauritius. “We are focused on expanding our range of services to include additional medical specialties,” she stated, with a continued emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technologies to improve patient care.
Life | Viva: A Modern Approach to Ambulatory Surgery
Turning to Life | Viva, Lizy Jugroo explained how the ambulatory clinic provides an innovative alternative to traditional hospital stays by offering day surgeries. This means that patients can undergo procedures and return home the same day, reducing the need for long hospital stays. “Life | Viva offers a modern, patient-centric approach to healthcare,” Lizy said, focusing on convenience, high-quality care, and patient comfort.
Life | Viva’s clinics, located in Cap Tamarin and Healthscape Forbach, are designed to meet various patient needs through three distinct clinical pathways: Fast Track, Usual, and Complex Ambulatory. The clinic is equipped with five private rooms, a post-operative recovery area, and state-of-the-art operating theatres. This setup allows for a comfortable and safe patient experience. Lizy highlighted that the clinic offers a wide range of surgical specialities, from orthopaedics and gynaecology to urology and general surgery, catering to a broad spectrum of medical needs.
Speaking about what Life | Viva brings to the private healthcare sector, Lizy noted that the clinic stands out by offering high-quality surgical care without requiring overnight stays. This approach, she explained, reduces both the financial and physical burden on patients. “By offering same-day surgical procedures, we provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital stays,” she said. The clinic’s focus on minimally invasive techniques and modern anaesthesia ensures that patients recover quickly, with fewer complications and a better overall experience.
In terms of technology, Lizy discussed the clinic’s ISO 5 certified operating rooms, which meet the highest international standards of cleanliness and safety. “These operating rooms ensure a sterile environment, reducing the risk of infections and complications,” she explained. The advanced technology also contributes to more efficient surgeries, improving both patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, Lizy shared Life | Viva’s plans to expand its services by introducing new medical specialities and continuing to adopt innovative healthcare technologies. “We are continually developing and improving our services,” she said, with a particular focus on expanding their team of specialists and integrating new technologies to enhance patient care.
