Dr Mala Modun-Bissessur
Ex Medical Superintendent SBEH
Georges Alexis Leclézio was born on 05.3.1872 to Sir Henri and Lady Jenny Jauffret Leclézio in the village of Moka, British Mauritius. His great grandparents François and Jeanne Leclézio from Brittany, France settled down in Isle de France, in 1799 well decided to make this small undeveloped Indian Ocean Island, then under French rule, their new homeland. Since then The Leclézios devoted themselves to its development through their commitment in many fields from shipping to press, agriculture, legal, bank, politics, business and others.
Young Georges was not indifferent to the prevailing state of affairs, the country was poor, burden of diseases high, with all health indicators in the red, unavailable inaccessible appropriate health care facilities, the miserable life of the inhabitants mostly indentured labourers from India and freed slaves from Africa Madagascar. His decision was made. 1904: back from medical studies from Guy’s Hospital, UK, he joined the Government Health Services where he served as Government Medical Officer, Commissioner in Lunacy and Public Vaccinator, medical referee (médecin légiste) for Moka District, Lieutenant Mauritius Volunteer Medical Corps.
In 1914 he took charge of the Moka General Hospital (MGH). Aware that the island with no natural resources had to rely on importation for its needs and that the ongoing global conflict World War 1 made it difficult for the government to invest in the health sector, Dr Georges himself drew up a health services development plan where he was the major if not more often the sole financier. From infrastructure with additional wards, operation theatres to logistics, equipment, instruments, even if it meant personally travelling abroad and paying from his own purse Dr Georges did not shy away. He donated an X Ray machine, the first in the island and introduced radium treatment for cancer.
In a continuous professional development program through conferences in collaboration with colleagues from outside, he ensured that the medical staff received the required training skills and competency. Meeting the priority needs, he encouraged Dr Couacaud to specialise in orthopaedics and gifted him with a set of ortho instruments. Indeed in those days over 75% of the population were manual workers exposed to occupational injuries without much in place for treatment. Managing a health institution with a growing patient population and additional services left little time for Dr Georges for clinical practice. He asked permission to do private practice outside routine working hours against forfeiting his retirement pension mainly to be available for those unable to attend daytime as any absenteeism from work by the sugar factory workers was penalised by a double salary cut. The fees from the practice was invested in MGH. Putting patient first was his motto. “They were sick because they were poor and became poorer for seeking treatment”.
Dr Leclézio was wholly dedicated to the profession. Under him the MGH became a star hospital – The Surgical Centre of Mauritius. Unfortunately he left us too early at the height of his career from a health problem despite being well cared for. As word of his hospitalization went around the village went quiet, the people stood by him : “Dokter malad, pa fer tapaz li bizin repose; ramase zanimo bonere, pa larg zot pou zot pa al sante kot lopital” – a heart-warming respectful move. His death The Surgical Centre on 18.8.1928 was felt at a national level. He legated all his instruments freely to the MGH for “the future generation of doctors”. Afterwards, with the opening of care points in other districts activity at MGH declined. Attempts for redress failed, the new doctors “the young Turks” refused to work in the-“ti lopital dan danbwa” so they spoke.
In the early 1970s, the bad shape of the Mauritian economy called for austerity in all sectors. The MGH was bound for closure and turned into the Development Works Corporation depot. Materials were already stocked in the yard. However, a lobby led by the Private Parliamentary Secretary, MOH Hon. Ramsoondur Modun together with Dr Vel Pillay and some ophthalmologists requested its conversion into an eye hospital. “Mo dir pa ferm lopital Moka, pa kone si pou ekoute …” reported the PPS after a strained meeting. Following approval by Prime Minister Dr Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and the cabinet, The Moka Eye Hospital saw the day in 1972. Name changed to Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital in 1990. The naming of a ward in the MEH after Dr G Leclézio – “approval of the wish of the people of Moka” in 1984 – never occurred.
2024: The opening of a long overdue brand new eye hospital is expected soon. Shifting of services will follow. We are not aware what awaits the SBEH. We pray that it will not be closed down nor the buildings left to their fate. 2020:Covid 19 pandemic has been an eye opener regarding our preparedness plan for such urgencies. The Chikungunya 2005-2006 epidemic already had its toll. Dengue is around. What next? We are not sheltered against further scourges. We feel that the Moka site is ideally situated for a Regional Epidemiological Centre for research training and care for infectious communicable diseases. It will also be a tribute to Dr Georges Alexis Leclézio, an exceptional person, an inspiration, a postgraduate in Public Health whose knowledge in the matter broadened his assessment of the health status of Mauritius in the 1900s and empowered him to be at the service of us all.
References
Archives Mauritius
Dictionary of Mauritian Biography -Hilda Lagesse
MCA Engagement Civique 1990
Dr Max Shun Shin –Dr Leclézio –A Patriot
The inhabitants of Moka.