<B>Sir Harry ?unable? to face trial</B>

The ex-CEO of Air Mauritius, Sir Harry Tirvengadum, suspected of being party to a plot to embezzle Rs 85 million to the prejudice of the national airline, is said to be in a physical condition that makes him unable to face court sessions. His lawyer, Yousuf Mohamed, who appeared without his client last Wednesday, presented medical certificates from cardiologists, Dr Hingun and Dr Moothien-Pillay. The latter state that the defendant suffers from severe heart problems and is quite incapacitated. The prosecution lawyer however said that Sir Harry?s medical state had to be checked by doctors of the public sector to decide whether he was really unable to face the trial. The magistrates will give their ruling on Friday.

<B>Ashock Jugnauth denies involvement in fraud</B>

The leader of ?Union Nationale?, Ashock Jugnauth, was in Court last week to defend himself against allegations of electoral bribery. Raj Ringadoo, the unreturned candidate in his constituency (Moka-Quartier-Militaire), is asking for the cancellation of the results. Replying to his opponent?s allegations concerning the ?unfair? recruitment of health care assistants, Ashock Jugnauth said that he had nothing to do with this recruitment, done by officers of his then ministry. He asserted that he did not favour the recruitment of people from his constituency. He explained his election as follows: ?People of constituency n°8 like me since I am very close to them.?

<B>German partners for high-tech medicine </B>

Private hospitals want to tackle heart problems, which are becoming most worrying in Mauritius. With this in mind, the purchase of a high-tech scanner by one of the private clinics of Plaines-Wilhems is a step in the right direction. It has invested Rs 40 million in this machine aimed at giving a precise picture of the heart without surgery. It will also screen the brain for related diseases.

<B>Beware of chikungunya ... again</B>

As summer is getting closer, the government is mobilising to warn the population about the risks of chikungunya. As no vaccine has been found yet, prevention is still the best means of protection. A half-day workshop was organised last week to recall the main measures the public should take as well as the advance in research to fight the disease. The public should make sure it cleans each and every corner that could keep stagnant water ? the best site for mosquito proliferation. Meanwhile, research continues on the notorious Aedes Albopictus mosquito to try to avoid the 10,000 cases recorded last season.