What is ENT?

ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists address a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck. Their expertise is divided into several key areas:

Otology: This field focuses on the ear, dealing with issues such as hearing loss and dizziness. The inner ear plays a crucial role in both hearing, via the cochlea, and maintaining body balance, thanks to the vestibule.

Rhinology: This branch of ENT focuses on the nose, specifically addressing problems related to the sinuses and the sense of smell.

Laryngology: Originally centered on the larynx, the organ responsible for voice production, laryngology has expanded to include other areas of the throat, including the pharynx (oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx), which connects the mouth, nose, and esophagus.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of their broad scope, ENT specialists are also referred to as Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons. This expanded title highlights their expertise in managing conditions affecting the neck (cervico) and face (facial) regions.

The ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialty focuses on all aspects related to:

Hearing
Balance
Breathing (upper airway)
Sense of smell
Voice
Swallowing
Taste
Facial expressions

It involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the following organs:

The ear (external, middle, and inner ear)
The mouth, including the tongue and salivary glands
The throat, including the pharynx, larynx, and trachea
The nose and sinuses
The neck, including the thyroid and parathyroid glands


ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists are trained to manage both medical and surgical conditions affecting the same organs. This dual expertise is relatively rare in medicine and allows patients to benefit from seamless, comprehensive care—from initial consultation and diagnosis to treatment—provided by the same doctor.

ENT specialists in Mauritius are also qualified to treat both adults and children, offering continuity of care across all age groups, which is particularly valuable in long-term management of ENT-related conditions.

Treatment options may include medication, surgical interventions (open or endoscopic), rehabilitation, and the use of assistive or implantable devices, depending on the condition.

Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Care in ENT


Due to the broad and diverse nature of ENT practice, specialists often work in close coordination with other healthcare professionals, particularly in areas of the face and neck that overlap with other disciplines. These include stomatology, maxillofacial surgery, cosmetic surgery, and dermatology.

ENT doctors regularly collaborate with:

Audioprosthetists – for the fitting, adjustment, and customization of hearing aids.
Speech therapists – for the management of voice disorders, speech and language difficulties, and swallowing issues.
Physiotherapists – for rehabilitation of balance disorders, facial muscle function in cases of facial paralysis, and improving musculocutaneous flexibility after surgery.

This interdisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive, well-coordinated care tailored to their individual needs.

A Brief History of ENT Care in Mauritius & Dr Peerbaccus’s Role


Early days – one small ward to a national specialty

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) services began modestly in the late-1960s within a single ward of the former HMS-Mauritius military hospital in Vacoas. As the island’s population and tourism grew, that ward evolved into the country’s first stand-alone ENT Hospital, which for decades remained the only centre able to perform advanced ear and head-and-neck surgery. It also became the compulsory clinical rotation site for every Mauritian medical student, anchoring local specialist training. 

Modern era – the new Vacoas ENT Hospital

By the mid-2010s the original building was no longer fit for purpose. In 2018 it was demolished and replaced on the same site by a state-of-the-art, paper-less ENT facility. The new hospital was formally inaugurated—via live video link—by the Prime Ministers of Mauritius and India on 3 October 2019, symbolising the country’s commitment to world-class otorhinolaryngology services. 

Dr Yashir Peerbaccus – raising the bar for specialised care

After completing higher surgical training in England, France and Belgium (where he was officially recognised by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health), Dr Peerbaccus returned home with three main goals:

Expand sub-specialty expertise – he introduced modern vestibular-balance diagnostics and vertigo rehabilitation clinics, making Mauritius one of the few countries in the region offering comprehensive neuro-otology services.

Decentralise access – by consulting at multiple private hubs, he shortened waiting times and brought advanced ENT care closer to patients across the island.

Train the next generation – as an invited lecturer and clinical supervisor he continues to mentor junior doctors and audiologists, ensuring that international ENT guidelines are applied locally.

Thanks to these collective advances, Mauritian patients today can expect timely, guideline-driven management for everything from routine ear-infections to complex skull-base and head-and-neck conditions—without having to leave the country.

Doctor Yashir Peerbaccus

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