India has been bestowed with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by the Measles and Rubella Partnership. The award recognizes India’s tireless efforts in combating these infectious diseases. It was presented at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington DC, US. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, received the award on behalf of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Measles and Rubella Partnership is a multi-agency planning committee that includes organizations like the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO. The partnership is dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness.
The health ministry stated that the award acknowledges India’s commitment to public health and its exemplary leadership in curbing the spread of measles and rubella among children. India has provided regional leadership to the measles and rubella elimination program through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), using measles as a tracer to strengthen routine immunization. Despite facing numerous challenges, India has made remarkable progress in reducing cases and preventing outbreaks through comprehensive interventions.
The Government of India’s proactive MR vaccination campaign, targeting high-risk areas, and innovative strategies to reach underserved populations have been instrumental in safeguarding the health and well-being of its population. The country’s robust surveillance systems and effective public-awareness initiatives have also played a key role.
As a result of these efforts, 50 districts in India have not witnessed any measles cases in the last 12 months, while 226 districts have not reported rubella cases. Measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases, and the MR vaccine has been a part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme since 2017.
The health ministry stated that the award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of India’s frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities across the nation. The Indian government is actively working towards eliminating measles and rubella from the country.
