To help control measles in the Maldives, neighboring India today donated 20,000 doses of vaccine and three tons of medical supplies.

At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health this afternoon, Health Minister Geela Ali symbolically accepted the aid on behalf of the Maldivian government. The Ambassador of India to the Maldives, G. Balasubramanian, handed over the aid on behalf of the Indian government.

The Ministry stated that the medical supplies, which include MMR vaccines and kits required to test for measles, constitute a very useful assistance for this period to control the spread of measles in the Maldives.

During the ceremony, the Minister highlighted that the Indian government always provides assistance in such matters faced by the Maldives, and expressed gratitude to the Government of India.

HPA previously stated that the vaccine is currently being administered to people working in the healthcare sector and to those among individuals infected with the disease who have not completed two doses. It was mentioned at the time that additional vaccines were being sourced to administer to the general public.

Measles is a disease that the WHO declared eradicated from the Maldives in 2017. However, even after that, the disease is occasionally detected among foreigners. The situation worsened later after 15 cases, including Maldivians, were detected within this year.