Just forwarded to me to be shared extensively- in our line of thought)
*Trouble in paradise: How Populism and Free Medication Sank Mauritius*
Jan 2029 Port Louis - Mauritius stands on the brink of total economic collapse, a shadow of its former self. Once hailed as an African success story, the island nation has spiraled into a fiscal abyss, echoing the recent turmoil of Sri Lanka. Debt has soared beyond repayment, unemployment is rampant, inflation has skyrocketed, and the social fabric has frayed under the weight of crime and corruption. People are sicker now than ever before, not just from disease but from a healthcare system poisoned by over-prescription and neglect. To understand how Mauritius reached this crisis point, we must rewind to the events of the *2024 general election*, the moment the country’s fate was sealed.
*The Election That Promised Everything… and Delivered Collapse*
In 2024, political parties in Mauritius engaged in what many now see as a reckless race to the bottom. Both the government and opposition, vying for public support, unveiled a series of populist promises that seemed too good to be true, because they were.
The government, desperate to maintain power, announced unsustainable pension increases, appeasing a graying population without any regard for future financial obligations. The opposition, not to be outdone, promised free public transport for all, free internet for every citizen, and myriad other giveaways that had no viable funding plan. What started as a contest of ideas *quickly devolved into a contest of who could promise more to the electorate*. In the end, both sides did what they had to in order to win votes, but fiscal responsibility was nowhere to be found.
However, among all the reckless pledges, one policy stands out as the most devastating; the promise to make all medication free for everyone. Announced by the government in the heat of the campaign, this populist measure would go on to become the linchpin in Mauritius’ collapse.
*The Free Medication Policy: A Poisoned Pill*
Mauritius’ current economic downfall can be traced directly to the ill-conceived free medication for all policy, which unleashed a chain of catastrophic events. Here’s how it led to the collapse we see today:
*1. Unsustainable Fiscal Pressure*
The free medication policy placed an unbearable financial burden on the state. From the outset, it was clear that Mauritius could not afford to cover the costs of medication for its entire population. What followed was a rapid increase in the national debt, as the government borrowed extensively to fund this unsustainable measure. Over time, public spending ballooned, and *essential services were underfunded*, leading to the decay of infrastructure, education, and social safety nets. By 2027, Mauritius was spending more on medication than on healthcare infrastructure itself, setting the stage for the current debt crisis.
*2. Quality of Healthcare Declined*
As resources were funneled toward making medication free, the rest of the healthcare system suffered. Hospitals became underfunded, and medical staff were overworked and underpaid. This erosion of healthcare quality left Mauritians more vulnerable than ever. By 2028, critical medical procedures were delayed, basic healthcare services were collapsing, and life expectancy had started to reduce. Mauritius, once praised for its healthcare system, now faced an unprecedented public health emergency, all while medication remained “free.”
*3. Incentivizing Over-Prescription for Profit*
Doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and other actors quickly found ways to exploit the free medication system. With no checks in place, over-prescription became rampant. Unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies and doctors colluded to prescribe medications unnecessarily to boost their earnings, while pharmaceutical companies charged exorbitant prices to the government, knowing the system was now a bottomless well of public funds. By 2026, the government’s healthcare spending had spiraled out of control, driven by doctors over-prescribing expensive drugs and patients using medications they didn’t need.
*4. Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs*
The free medication policy caused healthcare costs to balloon beyond sustainable levels. By 2027, the healthcare budget was so bloated *that it began crowding out other critical areas of public spending*. With no room left to invest in infrastructure, education, or social programs, Mauritius’ economy began to falter. *Inflation crept higher as the government printed money* to keep up with its obligations, devaluing the rupee and driving the prices of basic goods through the roof. The once-promised free medication now had a different price: financial ruin.
5. Moral Hazard and Public Health Decline
Beyond financial costs, the free medication policy also led to a significant decline in public health. With no cost to medications, Mauritians became less accountable for their health choices. Lifestyle diseases skyrocketed as people neglected preventive care, secure in the knowledge that any resulting health condition would be treated for free. The result was an unprecedented rise in chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, further overloading an already collapsing healthcare system.
By 2028, hospitals were overflowing with patients seeking treatment for preventable diseases. The combination of over-prescription and a neglected healthcare system led to rampant misuse of medications. Antibiotic resistance surged as drugs were handed out without oversight, leading to new waves of disease that the system was ill-equipped to handle.
*The Human Cost*
Today, the Mauritian people are paying the ultimate price. With inflation nearing 40%, the cost of basic necessities has become unaffordable for most. Unemployment has soared as businesses, burdened by high taxes and failing public infrastructure, have shuttered. Meanwhile, crime has risen sharply, fueled by desperation and poverty. The once-thriving tourism industry has ground to a halt, as the nation’s reputation has been tarnished by images of mass protests, shortages, and social unrest.
The promise of free medication, once hailed as a bold and caring move, has left Mauritius more vulnerable, sick, and economically devastated than at any time in its modern history.
*Lessons for the Future*
Mauritius’ collapse serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of populism without planning. The 2024 election, with its reckless promises and fiscal irresponsibility, planted the seeds for the country’s ruin. While the idea of free medication for all was appealing, the economic realities of such a policy were ignored in the pursuit of political power.
Now, as Mauritius struggles to recover, it serves as a cautionary tale for nations around the world:
*Beware of populism that promises everything but delivers collapse.*
