
India Honored as Global Leader in Measles and Rubella Eradication Efforts
Last Updated on March 10, 2024 12:19 pm
In a significant global recognition of its relentless efforts to combat Measles and Rubella, India has been awarded the prestigious ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ by The Measles and Rubella Partnership. The award ceremony took place at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA, on March 6th, 2024, where Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, received the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The Measles and Rubella Partnership is a collaborative effort involving a multi-agency planning committee, including prominent organizations such as the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO. This esteemed accolade highlights India’s unwavering commitment to public health and its exceptional leadership in controlling the spread of these infectious diseases, particularly among children.
The award acknowledges India’s regional leadership in the measles and rubella elimination program, where the country has utilized ‘measles as a tracer’ to strengthen routine immunization under its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Despite facing numerous challenges, India has demonstrated remarkable progress in reducing measles and rubella cases, preventing outbreaks, and ensuring comprehensive interventions.
The Government of India’s proactive MR vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, along with innovative strategies to reach underserved populations, robust surveillance systems, and effective public-awareness initiatives, have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the health and well-being of the population. This prestigious award serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the country’s frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities nationwide.
Notably, India’s efforts have resulted in 50 districts consistently reporting no measles cases, while 226 districts have remained free of rubella cases over the past 12 months. Measles and Rubella, both vaccine-preventable diseases, have been actively targeted through India’s Universal Immunization Programme since 2017, with the government actively working towards the complete elimination of these diseases from the country.